Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on Monday said the government will wait for political parties to reach a consensus on the proposed referendum and national charter, but it will not hesitate to act on its own if the talks fail to produce a result.
“We have not given any ultimatum; we have called for it. We will wait, then the government will act like a government,” he told reporters after the weekly meeting of the Advisory Council at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
The Adviser’s remarks came amid ongoing discussions among political parties over the interim government’s call for dialogue on the proposed national charter and referendum – two major reform issues that the Chief Adviser has urged all sides to engage in.
Responding to a question from reporters on whether the government has softened its position on the issue after differences emerged among political parties, Asif Nazrul said there was no change in principle. “I had said earlier that the Advisory Council, led by the Chief Adviser, will take the final decision. We have not deviated from that position at all,” he asserted.
He added that the government was demonstrating patience and flexibility by allowing political actors the space to present a common view. “Expecting unified recommendations from political parties can be seen as a good gesture,” he said, describing the move as a sign of the government’s commitment to an inclusive process.
Sources in the government said the Chief Adviser’s office has been encouraging dialogue among major political stakeholders to ensure that any reform decisions – particularly regarding the referendum mechanism – reflect a broad-based consensus rather than a unilateral move.
Asif Nazrul’s statement suggests that while the government is keeping the door open for consultation, it also intends to move forward with its agenda if the political parties remain divided or indecisive.
Political analysts say his comments reflect a balancing act by the interim administration – projecting a cooperative tone while maintaining the authority to implement decisions independently if needed.