Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday questioned the BNP’s repeated invocation of the Constitution, arguing that the February 12 election that brought the party to power would not have taken place had it been followed. 

“If the Constitution had been followed, there would have been no election on February 12, 2026. If that election had not taken place, how would the BNP have formed the government, and how would we have become the opposition?” he said while chairing a discussion marking the anniversary of the signing of the July National Charter at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Shafiqur said the July National Charter was drafted after more than seven months of discussions involving political parties and domestic and international experts under the interim government’s consensus commission. The parties signed the charter in 2025, pledging to implement its provisions, he added.

He said Jamaat had demanded that the referendum on the charter be held before the parliamentary election, warning that holding both on the same day could confuse voters.

He accused the BNP of pushing for simultaneous voting and alleged that the party had campaigned against the referendum’s ‘Yes’ option despite the prime minister calling for its support.

Nearly 70% of voters backed the ‘Yes’ option, he said, describing the result as a public mandate for political change and reform.

“The people no longer want to see the rotten politics of the past. They want change and reform, and our children gave their lives for this cause,” he said.

Shafiqur accused the BNP of avoiding fundamental constitutional reforms, including bringing changes to provisions that he said had enabled authoritarian rule. 

He also alleged that the party was seeking to bypass the referendum’s verdict by pursuing constitutional amendments without adequately addressing the opposition’s objections.

Jamaat would not accept what he described as a betrayal of the public mandate, he said, pledging to continue pressing for implementation of the referendum’s outcome.

He also accused BNP activists of involvement in extortion, land grabbing and political violence, alleging that the government was trying to shift responsibility for its failures onto the opposition.

Criticising Home Minister Salahuddin over the persistence of drug trafficking, Shafiqur urged him to focus on his ministerial responsibilities rather than mislead the public in the name of constitutional reform.

He said Jamaat’s movement was aimed at securing public rights rather than advancing party-specific demands.

The Jamaat chief also warned against attempts to obstruct the party’s planned October 31 long march, saying it would reach its destination despite any opposition.

“If any conspiracy is attempted this time, we will reach our destination for the sake of the people. No obstacle can stop us, and we will not bow to any conspiracy,” he said.

At the discussion, LDP President Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram called for national unity and swift implementation of the July National Charter, citing declining investment and employment, factory closures, deteriorating law and order and rising prices.

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said the government’s reluctance to implement reforms despite the signing of the charter and the referendum had reinforced concerns about the future of the reform process.

He called for the formation of a Constitutional Reform Council in line with the referendum’s verdict, rather than unilateral constitutional amendments.

AB Party General Secretary Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad said the government should not reopen political questions settled through the July uprising, the signing of the charter and the referendum.

He said implementing the charter was essential to reform state institutions, prevent corruption and curb the future abuse of power.

The discussion was attended by senior leaders of Jamaat and other political parties, lawyers, journalists and professional organisations.