Rejecting Jamaat-e-Islami's proposal to give the July National Charter constitutional recognition through an executive order, BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed today said a state cannot be run on emotions.
"Some people are saying that the chief adviser can now promulgate a law, or issue an order in line with the people's wishes expressed during the July uprising. That is a revolutionary and emotional statement. But a state does not run on emotions; it runs according to laws, rules and regulations," he said.
Speaking at a seminar, the BNP leader said he heard on Wednesday that the "National Charter" could be issued through an extra-constitutional order, and that the chief adviser had the authority to do so. "But the chief adviser, being the head of government, does not have any such right under our constitution."
Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, explained that any law can only be issued with cabinet approval, and in the absence of parliament, the president can issue an ordinance. "The government can only issue notifications or gazette circulars as part of its administrative powers."
The BNP leader said a controversy would arise if the proper process is not followed regarding the issuing of an extra-constitutional order on the July Charter. "We must move away from political emotions so that such a controversy does not arise in the future. I call on all sides to do this."
The University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB) arranged the seminar, titled 'Education and Employment in the Minds of Youth in Post-2024 Bangladesh', at the Jatiya Press Club.
Earlier yesterday, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said they, during their meeting at Jamuna, told Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that the July National Charter can be given constitutional recognition through an executive order.
Salahuddin also said a political party that earlier skipped the signing ceremony of the July Charter is now looking for an opportunity to sign it.
"Yesterday (Wednesday), a political party said BNP has finally agreed to hold a referendum on implementing the July National Charter under public pressure... but in reality, the proposal to hold such a referendum originally came from BNP," Salahuddin said.
He also said all parties, except two, agreed to BNP's referendum proposal.
The July Charter was signed on October 17, but the National Citizen Party (NCP) did not attend the event.