Patwary declares solidarity with Jamaat and its allies over July Charter demands

National Citizen Party (NCP) chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary today expressed solidarity with Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies, over their five-point demand for implementation of the July Charter.

Speaking at the launch of the National Health Alliance -- a joint platform of healthcare professionals and students -- at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, Patwary said, "The eight-party alliance, as part of their movement, has announced a long march toward Jamuna [chief adviser's residence] if their demands are not met. We express solidarity with their movement. We are still in this."

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Patwary stressed the importance of understanding the public pulse, citing historical examples. "Ziaur Rahman could read the pulse of the people, so could Khaleda Zia. That is why BNP was born with a 'yes' vote. This is why BNP became one of the major parties of the country," he said.

"But those who are currently leading BNP fail to read that public pulse and harm themselves politically, what can we do?" he added.

Criticising the government, he said, "In the past year, the government has turned itself into a regime, disconnected from the people. The government has failed to fulfill the demands of the people."

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Won’t accept anything past signed charter

Earlier in the afternoon, the eight-party alliance issued an ultimatum until November 16, to meet their demands, which include issuing an order to implement the July National Charter and holding a referendum before the election. They warned that failure to meet the demands would lead to an indefinite sit-in protest in front of the Chief Adviser's residence, Jamuna.