Staff Correspondent

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday expressed the hope that Bangladesh will be transformed into a democratic state through the implementation of the July National Charter.

Talking to reporters after attending the July Charter signing ceremony at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, he said the signing marks a new beginning for the nation.

“We are waiting for the day when the July Charter will be fully implemented and a truly democratic state will be established,” the BNP leader said.

He said there is still a lot of work ahead, but the signing of the charter is just the start of that journey. “Most parties have signed the Charter, and we hope those who haven’t yet will do so in the future, as the process remains open,” Salahuddin said.

He extended his congratulations to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, the members of the National Consensus Commission, and all national leaders who took part in the discussions and played a role in framing and finalising the Charter.

When asked about the Chief Adviser’s call for discussions among political parties regarding the election process, the BNP leader said there is already a clear constitutional provision on how elections should be conducted.

According to Article 65(2) of the Constitution, he said parliament shall consist of three hundred members to be elected in accordance with law from single territorial constituencies by direct election.

The BNP leader said the Election Commission is responsible for holding the election, and the Constitution clearly explains how it should be conducted. “So, there is no room to create confusion among the public about this matter.”

“However, if the Chief Adviser wishes to hold discussions on the issue, we are always open to dialogue, as we believe in discussion and consultation,” Salahuddin added.

Earlier, a large BNP delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, attended the signing ceremony of the historic July Charter.

On behalf of the party, Fakhrul and Salahuddin signed the Charter, while Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Vice President of the National Consensus Commission Professor Ali Riaz also signed it along with other political leaders.

BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said over a hundred leaders from the party and its associate bodies were invited to take part in the event, which began with the singing of the national anthem.

Apart from Fakhrul and Salahuddin, BNP leaders Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Zahid Hossain, Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon, Lutfozzaman Babar, Zainul Abedin Farroque, Ismail Jobiullah, Abdul Hai Shikder, Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim, Dr Mahdi Amin, and Engineer Shahrin Islam Tuhin, Muktijoddha Dal President Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam, and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, among others, were present.