Political parties, participating in National Consensus Commission (NCC) dialogue, have agreed to hold a national referendum to ensure public consent for implementing July National Charter 2025, said Professor Ali Riaz, Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission.
"This is the first step taken collectively by all political parties toward the implementation of the July National Charter," Professor Riaz told reporters after the fourth day of discussions between the Commission and party representatives at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Sunday.
He expressed optimism that similar consensus would soon be achieved on other national issues.
"Through this cooperation, the Commission will soon finalize its recommendations and submit them to the government," he added.
Riaz also noted that the political parties had reached an "effective consensus" on ensuring that the next parliament, to be formed through the February election, enacts reforms based on the July Charter to make them sustainable.
Commission members Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr. Md Ayub Miah, and Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, were present at the media briefing.
Prof Riaz said earlier that several parties had proposed seeking an advisory opinion from the Supreme Court under Article 106 of the Constitution regarding the Charter's implementation.
"However, most political parties now believe that step may no longer be necessary," he said.
Commission is now assessing whether a constitutional order, a referendum, or a combination of both would provide the strongest legal foundation for implementing the Charter.
Representatives from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Ganosamhati Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Revolutionary Workers Party, and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party were among the 28 political groups attended the dialogue.
Salahuddin Ahmed, BNP Standing Committee member who represents the party at NCC dialogue, said the referendum could be held on the same day as the parliamentary election, allowing citizens to vote both for candidates and on the Charter's legal endorsement.
"There is no legal barrier to holding the referendum alongside the national election," he said. "The Charter's contents will be open to the public, and the people's verdict will be final. The next parliament must honour it."
Salahuddin confirmed that the BNP supports issuing an ordinance titled 'July National Charter 2025', followed by a referendum, and that it has dropped its earlier demand for judicial advice under Article 106.
Besides, Sarwar Tushar, Joint Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said the interim government must grant legal status to the Charter before leaving office, warning that a future majority government could repeal it.
"The government should settle this issue in line with public will," he said. "On election day, along with parliamentary ballots, there can be a separate ballot for the referendum. Most parties now agree on this."
He added that aside from minor linguistic differences, "all political parties are largely in agreement on granting the Charter a legal foundation," expressing confidence that "people will vote overwhelmingly in favour of implementing the July Charter."
Dr Hamidur Rahman Azad, Assistant Secretary-General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said a referendum must be held before the election schedule to ensure the Charter's legitimacy.
"The Charter cannot be implemented without a legal base," Azad said. "A referendum prior to the election would make it unchallengeable and accepted by all."
He proposed holding the referendum in November or December, saying, "If we move simply and transparently, both the nation and the political process will benefit."
Azad emphasized that Jamaat and BNP share no differences on this issue, adding, "Even if the referendum result goes against us, we will accept it."
He opposed involving the Supreme Court, saying, "Political questions should not be taken to the judiciary."
Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, spokesperson of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, said the government must act decisively.
"We, along with other groups, have compromised for the sake of national interest and accepted the Charter. Now it is the government's duty to implement it," he said.
"Neither the July uprising nor Sheikh Hasina's flight followed constitutional procedures. Using the Constitution now to delay implementation would betray the reform commitments of this government," he added.
Mujibur Rahman Monju, Chairman of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, warned that any uncertainty or delay in implementing the Charter could lead to another public uprising.
"If this process is derailed under constitutional excuses, those responsible may need helicopters to escape public anger," Monju said.
He accused a faction of creating unnecessary legal debates despite broad political agreement.
"Sheikh Hasina once used the Constitution to justify fascist misrule. The July Uprising was not a constitutional event-it was a people's revolution, reflecting the ultimate will of the nation," he said.
Earlier on the day, the National Consensus Commission held a meeting at the State Guesthouse Jamuna, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Professor Riaz briefed the Chief Adviser on the progress of discussions and the growing consensus among political parties.
Yunus expressed satisfaction and directed the Commission to submit its final report "as early as possible."
The meeting was attended by Advisers Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Asif Nazrul, and Adilur Rahman Khan, along with Commission members.
Political analysts said the emerging consensus over the July Charter represents a unity in the country's sharply divided political landscape.
"While there are differences on procedure and timing, the agreement to legitimise the July Charter signals political maturity," said a Dhaka University political scientist. "It reflects a collective willingness to translate the July Uprising's spirit into institutional form."
The National Consensus Commission is expected to submit its final recommendations to the interim government within weeks, outlining options for a constitutional order, referendum, and subsequent legislative steps.
If approved, the process could pave the way for both the national election and a nationwide referendum early next year, potentially marking a new constitutional chapter in Bangladesh's political history.
