Elite group imposed referendum on people: Hafiz

BNP National Standing Committee member Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (retd) has criticised what he called an attempt by a Dhaka-based elite group to impose a referendum on the public.

He made the remark at a discussion yesterday at the Madan Mohan Jiu Temple in Lalmohan, Bhola.

Hafiz, the BNP candidate for Bhola-3 (Lalmohan-Tazumuddin), said constitutional amendments should be made only by elected representatives.

“Here, a group of elites has tried to push the issue on the people. Our country is not ready for such a system. Initially, our party did not agree, but given the situation, BNP signed the July Charter and reluctantly supported the ‘Yes’ vote. Elected representatives will finalise the Constitution in Parliament,” he added.

He criticised the lack of female candidates in a religiously affiliated party, noting none of its 300 parliamentary nominees are women. “Such politics creates division and lacks governance experience,” he said.

Hafiz emphasised BNP’s symbol, the sheaf of paddy, and said campaigns would begin in villages to promote the party’s ideals and legacy.

The discussion was chaired by Nirav Kumar Der, president of the Madan Mohan Temple, and included speeches from local BNP leaders such as Upazila President Jafar Iqbal, General Secretary Shafikul Islam Babul, Lalmohan Municipality BNP President Shadek Mia Jantu, and General Secretary Kamruzzaman Babul Patwari.