BNP has said it has decided to join the all-party meeting organised by Chief Adviser Dr Yunus to deliberate on the July Proclamation on Thursday (16 January).
Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP’s Standing Committee, is set to participate in a meeting with political parties and other stakeholders to finalise the declaration of the July uprising, the party said on Thursday afternoon.
"On our behalf, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed will meet the chief adviser today," BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said.
Earlier, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had said that he had received the draft declaration from Mahfuj Alam, an adviser to the interim government.
"He had requested us to give our opinion on the matter. But it is not possible for them to give their opinion on one day's notice," the BNP leader said.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reiterated that no final decision has been made regarding their attendance.
The party earlier said they were uncertain about joining the meeting.
Adding to the complexity, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Bangladesh Labour Party have both confirmed their absence from the meeting.
Salah Uddin Razzak, press secretary to LDP President Dr Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram stated that the LDP will not participate in the discussions on the July Uprising declaration.
Dr Mostafizur Rahman, chairman of the Labour Party, expressed dissatisfaction with the late notice for the meeting, deeming it disrespectful.
The party received an SMS invitation at 9:51pm on Wednesday, which they considered discourteous, leading to their decision to boycott the meeting.
The meeting, scheduled to be held at the Foreign Service Academy from 4-7pm, aims to gather input from all political factions regarding the proclamation.
Chief Adviser’s Press Wing announced the details of the meeting on Wednesday (15 January) night.
In a related announcement on Tuesday evening, Adviser Mahfuj Alam informed during a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy that the meeting's objective is to draft a consensus document.
"This document will delineate the timeline and the government's role in issuing the proclamation," Mahfuz Alam stated.
He elaborated, "The proclamation will reflect the aspirations and the backdrop of a mass uprising. It will be shaped by the consensus views of all political parties and factions involved."
The gathering will bring together leaders from various political alliances and organisations, including Jamaat-e-Islami, the AB Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, the Gono Odhikar Parishad, and the Nagorik Committee, among others.
This assembly is crucial for shaping the future course of the nation’s political landscape.
