The Chief Organizer of the National Citizen’s Party (NCP), Nasiruddin Patwari, has strongly criticized the politics of Jamaat-e-Islami, stating that Jamaat’s attitude is one of “one thing on the lips, another in the heart.”
Patwari made these remarks today, Thursday (October 30), at a discussion meeting titled ‘The Current and Future Roadmap of Politics’, organized by Nagorik Oikya at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Critique on Jamaat’s Stance and PR
Taking a firm stance on Jamaat’s position regarding the PR (Proportional Representation) system, Nasiruddin Patwari said, “You brought the proportional majority (PR) of the Upper House and ruined the whole thing in the Lower House. Your behavior, which is ‘one thing on the lips, another in the heart’ in certain matters before the nation, is becoming clear.”
Patwari believes that on the question of a referendum, Jamaat might eventually align with the BNP, perhaps suggesting, “Fine, let the referendum be held on the day of the election.”
Concerns over Asif Nazrul and the ‘July Charter’ Implementation
The NCP leader also commented on the reform commission’s recommendations and the ‘July Charter’ implementation, stating, “The reform commission has submitted its recommendations; the ball is now in Dr. Yunus’s court.”
He voiced his distrust of the current legal advisor, Dr. Asif Nazrul, saying:
“Since Dr. Yunus is an international player, it’s often said that foreign players tend to slip when they come to play on Bangladesh’s field, because the field is very slippery. But it’s our legal advisor, Asif Nazrul, who applies the most oil to this slippery ground. To make politicians slip, he has drafted this document (the recommendations for the implementation of the July Charter), and it must be made public before the nation. Because we do not have that trust in Asif Nazrul.”
NCP’s Stance on Signing the July Charter
The NCP’s position on the July Charter remains contingent on legal clarity.
• On Wednesday (October 28), NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari stated in a press conference that the National Citizen’s Party will not sign the July Charter until the legal basis is secured by reviewing the draft implementation order.
• He reiterated their initial stance: “We said from the beginning that signing any charter without a legal basis is not possible. Therefore, our preliminary position was to decide only after seeing the draft implementation order.”
• He mentioned that the NCP reassessed its position after the National Consensus Commission recently submitted its framework recommendations for the implementation of the July Charter to the government.
• Referring to the Commission’s two distinct implementation frameworks (one for 48 constitutional reforms and another for non-constitutional reforms in the form of draft notifications and ordinances), Patwari confirmed their cautious approach.
Explosive Remarks on Asif Nazrul and Dr. Yunus
A few days ago, Nasiruddin Patwari made an explosive statement about Asif Nazrul, saying that he “wanted to become the Chief Advisor.” Patwari concluded, “Now the ball is in his court; let’s see how he plays.”
Patwari has also urged the current Chief Advisor, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, to go to the Shaheed Minar (Martyrs’ Monument) with his advisors to announce the implementation of the July Charter. He demanded that the families of those martyred and injured during the July movement must also be present at the announcement ceremony. Patwari affirmed that the NCP would sign the charter on that very day
