Bangladesh: Trouble for Tarique Rahman, BNP before swearing-in? Jamaat threatens street protests

As fresh trouble mounts for Tarique Rahman ahead of his oath, Bangladesh appeared headed for renewed street agitation on Tuesday, with a government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party set to assume office amid threats of protests over constitutional reforms.

Lawmakers from Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party refused to take the oath of office, objecting to the BNP’s decision not to take a second pledge linked to the proposed Constitution Reform Council and the July Charter.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasirudin administered the first phase of the oath to BNP MPs at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Jamaat lawmakers were scheduled next, but the process stalled after BNP members declined to take an additional oath tied to endorsing the referendum-backed reform mechanism.

Two oaths at the centre of political standoff

The confrontation centres on two separate oaths that newly elected MPs were expected to take following the February 12 general election and the referendum on the July Charter. While the BNP secured a two-thirds majority in the parliamentary vote amid allegations of irregularities, the July Charter referendum received around 62 per cent approval.

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The July Charter proposes converting Parliament into a Constituent Assembly for 180 days, empowering the new House to amend the Constitution and overhaul democratic institutions. Although the BNP signed the charter, its leadership has repeatedly said it has serious reservations and was not consulted during the drafting process.

BNP rejects second pledge

BNP leaders reiterated that their MPs would not take the second oath as members of the Constitution Reform Council. The party’s position was announced by senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed in the presence of party chief Tarique Rahman.

Jamaat, NCP threaten boycott

Jamaat and NCP leaders warned they would boycott the oath-taking entirely if BNP MPs refused to join the reform framework. Jamaat deputy chief Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said his party would abstain from all oaths if BNP members did not commit to the constitutional reform process, arguing that a parliament without reforms would be “meaningless”.

The NCP echoed the stance, with party leaders indicating their MPs might also refuse to be sworn in, maintaining that constitutional restructuring must precede parliamentary functioning.

Tensions spill onto the streets

Political tensions extended beyond parliament as Jamaat leaders warned of renewed street protests, citing alleged election manipulation and post-poll violence. The party also condemned the reported gang-rape of a woman in Noakhali who had supported the NCP.

Reform versus governance divide

The crisis underscores a deeper divide within the ruling alliance over whether constitutional reform should precede governance or follow it. While the BNP insists MPs were elected solely to Parliament, its allies maintain that the referendum mandate requires immediate structural changes to the state.