Govt betrays mandate by failing to implement July referendum: Nahid

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam alleged that the government had betrayed the people's mandate by failing to implement the verdict delivered through the referendum, particularly on reforms and justice promised after the July Uprising.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after visiting the grave of July martyr Abu Sayed and offering prayers at Babanpur village in Pirganj, Rangpur on Thursday. Nahid later met members of the martyr's family and enquired about their wellbeing.

Recalling the objectives of the July Uprising, Nahid said, After the July Uprising, we had three demands �" justice, reforms and elections. Elections have been held, but the people of Bangladesh have not yet received justice and reforms.

Referring to the murder case of Abu Sayed, he said, We have received the verdict in the case over the killing of Abu Sayed. But that verdict has not yet been implemented.

Claiming that the government had failed to honour the outcome of the referendum, the NCP leader said, Seventy per cent of the people voted 'yes' in the referendum. But the current government has betrayed that verdict by failing to implement it. They are only talking about implementing the July Charter. This is nothing more than verbal deception.
He further alleged that the government had failed to fulfil earlier commitments on reforms.

They deceived us with the 31-point programme. They promised to form a Constitutional Reform Commission, but that has not happened, he said.

Demanding execution of court verdicts related to the July movement, Nahid urged the government to expedite legal enforcement.

Many cases have already been decided. Now the people of Bangladesh want to see those verdicts implemented. The government should swiftly bring back Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in the murder case of martyr Abu Sayed, and execute the court's verdict. 

The remaining cases should also be concluded quickly and their verdicts enforced so that the families of the martyrs and victims receive justice, he said.

Responding to the Liberation War Affairs Minister's recent claim that the government and the opposition were jointly implementing the July Charter, Nahid said the NCP remained willing to cooperate on reforms, justice and dismantling what he described as fascist structures.

If the government genuinely wants reforms, we are extending our full cooperation. On issues such as reforms, justice, the abolition of fascism and Bangladesh's independent foreign policy, we do not see the government as our opponent, he said.

However, he warned that the party's support depended on faithful implementation of the referendum outcome.

We should stand together for the people and the state. But we do not see that reflected in the government's conduct.

The July Charter must be implemented in line with the referendum verdict. If it is implemented according to their Note of Dissent, we will neither cooperate nor participate, Nahid added.