National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain on Saturday demanded the full implementation of the recent referendum verdict, urging the government to honour what he described as the people's mandate for comprehensive constitutional and governance reforms.
Addressing a roadside rally at Fulbari upazila in Dinajpur on the third day of the party's northern region road march, Akhtar said Bangladesh must move beyond the existing caretaker government framework and adopt a new system in line with the July Charter.
"We have to move away from the old framework and formulate a new caretaker government system. The July Charter contains such a proposal," he said.
The Rangpur-4 lawmaker alleged that the BNP was attempting to retain the previous caretaker government formula instead of embracing the reforms endorsed through the referendum.
He said the people had voted not only to elect a government but also to approve a reform agenda aimed at building a "new Bangladesh."
"People cast two votes—one to form a government and another in the referendum. The government has been formed, but the referendum verdict is yet to be implemented," he said.
Akhtar said the mass uprising had raised public expectations of a country where state institutions would remain politically neutral, employment would be based on merit rather than bribery, and citizens would enjoy equal opportunities.
"The people expected a new Bangladesh where the administration would function impartially, jobs would not require bribes, and merit would prevail," he added.
He urged the government to implement the referendum outcome in full, saying it reflected the aspirations of people who had supported political and institutional reforms.
The rally formed part of the NCP's nationwide road march campaign aimed at mobilising public support for implementation of the referendum verdict and the July Charter.
Among others, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Northern Region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam, Joint Convener Dr Atik Rahman Mujahid MP and Joint Chief Coordinator Dr Abdul Ahad also addressed the gathering.
