Talks of BNP–Jamaat understanding ahead of polls: Nasiruddin Patwary

Chief Coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nasiruddin Patwary has said that there are talks of a possible understanding between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the upcoming national election.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion titled Thoughts of Young Alems on Implementing the July Charter in the capital’s Paltan area on Saturday, November 1, he made the remarks.

He said, “We are hearing that an understanding is developing between the BNP and Jamaat. The BNP will withdraw from its note of dissent, while Jamaat will drop its demand for a referendum before the election — this is the kind of internal understanding being talked about.”

“The BNP says holding a referendum would cost a lot of money. But the amount one BNP candidate extorted after 5 August would be enough to hold a referendum,” Patwary added.

He further said, “In the past, they secured two-thirds of the parliamentary seats with just 40 per cent of the vote. They used that advantage to amend the Constitution — which is why an upper house is necessary.”

Patwary remarked, “We have been bathing senior leaders with Zamzam water all this time — now we will bathe them with Buriganga water so that they might come to their senses. A caretaker government is necessary. However, this election will be held under an interim government.”

He added, “I would like to tell Dr Muhammad Yunus — if you can issue the decree to implement the July Charter, you will prove yourself as the people’s government. We urge you to go to the Shaheed Minar, stand with all political parties and the people, and announce the implementation of the July Charter.”