“We Made Concessions for BNP, But Want Referendum Before Election”: Mohammad Taher

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer (Deputy Chief) Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has said that his party wants a national referendum before the general election — and that the election should be held in accordance with the verdict of that referendum.

He stated, “We have made concessions for the BNP. The NCP (National Citizen Party) had proposed something which the BNP opposed, yet we made compromises in favor of the BNP.”

Speaking at the briefing, he said that the political situation in the country was heating up ahead of the February national election, with various attempts being made to create unrest.

Taher added, “The National Consensus Commission did not implement any particular party’s agenda. The Commission aimed to achieve unanimous agreement on all issues. We reached consensus on about 60 to 70 percent of matters. With only 90 days left before the election, if dissent notes start being issued daily, the public will only become more confused.”

He reiterated, “We want a referendum before the national election, and we want the general election in February to be held based on the results of that referendum.”

Taher further said, “We have two major political events ahead — one is the referendum, and the other is the national election. If there is unnecessary delay now and later they say there’s no time, that would be an act of deception.”

Expressing hope for swift government action, he said, “We expect the government to issue an order for the referendum within today, without any further delay.”

Issuing a warning, Taher declared that if the referendum date is not announced within the next few days, Jamaat-e-Islami will launch a larger movement.

Explaining further about the party’s concessions to the BNP, he said, “The NCP made a proposal that the BNP opposed, but we sided with the BNP. One of the proposals was that no one could serve as prime minister more than once. The BNP objected to that, and we made concessions for them on that point as well.”