Fakhrul calls for opposition cooperation to implement July Charter

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the government wants to work together with the opposition to resolve any political crisis, including the implementation of the July Charter.

"The opposition must play a strong role in making democracy function effectively. But unfortunately, the opposition has started speaking the language of the Awami League," he said.

Fakhrul made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at the National Press Club, marking the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon attended the programme as the special guest.

Fakhrul said many people had joined movements under the leadership of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia to establish democracy, sacrificing their lives, losing their eyesight and suffering permanent disabilities.

He said fascism had been ousted through immense sacrifices and that BNP, as a liberal democratic party, honours the contributions of leaders and activists of all political parties, regardless of political affiliation.

Fakhrul said 125,000 "false cases" had been filed against lakhs of BNP leaders and activists during the movement to establish democracy.

He alleged that many party leaders and activists had been detained without trial, while around 20,000 people, including Ilias Ali, had been subjected to enforced disappearance or killing.

He also said Khaleda had been imprisoned for a long time in what he described as false cases, while the current prime minister had remained in exile for 18 years.

Fakhrul said the protracted movement culminated in July 2024 with the ouster of what he termed the "fascist" Hasina government, creating an opportunity to elect a democratic government.

Reaffirming BNP's commitment to implementing the July Charter, he said proposals for constitutional amendments would be discussed in parliament and that the party remained committed to rebuilding the state through constitutional procedures.

He alleged that some opposition parties were speaking the language of the Awami League and that a section was spreading propaganda against BNP over the implementation of the July Charter.

"This is not right. A completely false impression is being created," he said.

Rejecting the allegations, Fakhrul said BNP had always carried out reforms whenever dictators had destroyed state institutions.

"Whenever dictators destroyed state institutions in the country, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia restored them," he said.

He said BNP had introduced the caretaker government system to ensure elections under a neutral administration and had also paved the way for a free-market economy to accelerate economic development.

Bringing the private sector to the forefront was another achievement of BNP, he said, adding that the country's damaged economy now needed to be rebuilt.

After 17 to 18 years of "fascism and plunder", a new state structure must be built, he said, adding that BNP had always rebuilt state institutions, politics and the economy whenever they had been destroyed.

Referring to the debate over a referendum, Fakhrul said BNP had reached agreement on three issues, while differences remained over one proposal of the Constitution Reform Commission.

He said BNP had already explained its position to the people and received a mandate from voters.

"We are now in government and we are trying. We want to implement every word of the July Charter that we signed. Many works have already been completed. A July Amendment Committee has been formed in parliament and discussions have begun. Even the debate over wording will also be resolved," he said.

Calling for dialogue, Fakhrul said: "Let us discuss these issues in parliament. Let us discuss and decide where solutions are possible. We will do that."

He urged opposition parties to give the government time and opportunity to fulfil its commitments.

"Only five months and a few days have passed. It is not possible to expect everything to be completed properly within this period," he said.

BFUJ President Obaidur Rahman Shaheen delivered the welcome address, while BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury presented the keynote paper.

The discussion was chaired by DUJ President Md Shahidul Islam and moderated by its General Secretary Khurshid Alam.

Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, Dainik Pratidiner Bangladesh Editor Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, Jugantor Editor Abdul Hai Shikder and other journalists attended the programme.

Former DUJ president Elahi Newaz Khan Saju, DUJ Vice-President Rashedul Haque, Joint Secretary Md Didarul Alam Didar, Organising Secretary Sayeed Khan, BFUJ Publicity Secretary Shahjahan Saju, Organising Secretary Erfanul Haque Nahid and leaders of various journalists' organisations were also present.