July Charter not people’s mandate, says Workers Party’s Saiful

He says the proposed Charter is a product of party negotiations and cannot be treated as the people’s final will

Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque has said the July Charter, drafted through political party consensus, cannot be considered the ultimate expression of the people’s will.

On Monday, Saiful outlined his party’s position, saying signing the July Charter, dubbed the National Charter, was more significant than any separate pledge.

“If most parties still feel a declaration is necessary, only the first of the proposed eight points could be considered,” he said.

Saiful rejected the draft clause that would give the Charter precedence over the Constitution or existing laws.

“No consensus document can override the Constitution, the state’s supreme governing charter. Such a proposal would amount to creating a supra-constitutional instrument, undermining its philosophical and political significance,” he said, adding that only elections can reflect the people’s will.

He also dismissed suggestions to give the Appellate Division the final authority on disputes over the Charter, saying such questions should be settled in parliament.

Citizens, he argued, retain the right to oppose provisions of the Charter without losing democratic freedoms.

On legal safeguards, Haque opposed a referendum or Constituent Assembly Election, saying the country is not without a Constitution. But he welcomed discussions on limited legal protection, suggesting the prime minister could seek the Appellate Division’s opinion under Article 106.