Eight like-minded Islamist parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, have announced new programmes to press home five major demands, including the upholding of the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO) and implementation of the July Charter. The coalition declared it would accept “no new conditions” beyond these points.

The announcement came at a joint press conference held on Monday afternoon at the Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, following an emergency meeting of the coalition’s top leaders. Maulana Mamunul Haque, Ameer of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, announced the programme on behalf of the eight-party alliance.

The coalition leaders said they would submit a memorandum to the Chief Adviser and hold a mass procession in Dhaka on Thursday (November 6) as part of their joint movement.

Among those present were Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Pir of Charmonai; Dr. Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami; and Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader, Secretary General of Khilafat Majlis.

“Our five-point movement will continue,” said Mamunul Haque. “We will jointly and individually continue protests demanding the issuance of the July Charter Implementation Order, holding a public referendum before the national election, and ensuring a level playing field during polls.”

He added that the eight parties would gather with processions at Paltan Intersection at 11 a.m. on Thursday, from where they would march to submit the memorandum to the Chief Adviser. “If our demands are ignored, we will hold a major rally in Dhaka,” he warned.

Addressing the event, Jamaat leader Dr. Taher said, “We welcome the Advisory Council’s decision regarding the implementation of the July Charter. We hope the Chief Adviser will act impartially as a referee. Without implementing the Charter, there is no point in holding a referendum.” He described the proposal to hold the referendum and national election on the same day as a “conspiracy.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Charmonai Pir Mufti Rezaul Karim said, “We want the national election in February based on the July Charter. The implementation order must be issued immediately.” He called on all parties to engage in dialogue to resolve the ongoing political crisis through consensus.