- May 14, 2026
PNN News Desk | Dhaka:
Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee, said that although the National Citizens Party (NCP) and several leftist parties did not sign the July Charter, they still have the opportunity to do so. He expressed hope that these parties will eventually sign the charter and that it will not have any negative impact on the upcoming elections.
He made these remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists at the tomb of former President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, during the 26th anniversary of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation.
Salahuddin Ahmed stated, “To my knowledge, the NCP and three or four leftist parties could not attend the signing ceremony. I would not say they refused to sign, because they still have the chance. I believe they will participate in the future, and it will not have a major impact on the electoral process.”
He further added, “Political differences are natural, but tolerance is essential in a democracy. Some demands or disagreements may arise, but they can be resolved through dialogue. I believe they will ultimately join the July Charter.”
Referring to the clash between the ‘July Warriors’ and police on Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on Friday before the charter signing, he said, “The July Warrior organization had discussions with us and the Consensus Commission. The commission made some adjustments according to their proposals. Therefore, the later clash seems to be a planned act of disruption.”
He alleged, “Some unruly individuals, backed by the fascist government, instigated this clash. The real July Warriors were not involved in the incident.”
For context, the July National Charter 2025 signing ceremony was held on Friday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament House. 24 political parties and alliances, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, signed the charter. However, the NCP and four leftist parties — CPB, BASAD, BASAD (Marxist), and Bangladesh JASAD — did not attend and did not sign. Gonoforum was present but did not sign either, though the commission stated that parties can sign later if they wish.
