Amid a deepening impasse, major political parties yesterday further hardened their stances on the timing of a referendum on the reforms, the implementation order, and the fate of dissenting notes. After the government's seven-day deadline for the parties to reach a consensus expired on Monday, it said it would announce its decision on the matters on Thursday. As the clock ticks down, the nation watches -- unsure whether resolution or rupture lies ahead.

Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon, and six other like-minded parties yesterday warned that no election can be held in February without legal recognition of the July charter.

They also reiterated their demand for a referendum before the upcoming national polls.

Top leaders of the eight parties issued the warning at a rally at Dhaka's Paltan intersection in the afternoon.

Later, they met at the central office of Islami Andolon Bangladesh to decide their next course of action.

According to a press release issued by Islami Andolon, the parties expressed concern over the government's failure to make a decision regarding the legal recognition of the July charter and the holding of a referendum before the election.

The meeting decided to seek an appointment with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today (Wednesday) to discuss the matter. If the government still does not come up with a decision after their meeting with Yunus, they will be forced to announce tougher programmes the same day, the press release added.

Earlier at the rally, some leaders said if the demands were not met, they would lay siege to the chief adviser's official residence Jamuna.

Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said, "Our demand is simple: the July uprising must be recognised. Those who don't accept July will not see an election in 2026. To hold that election, the uprising must first receive legal recognition. Without it, no polls can take place. The freedom-loving people of this country have one demand -- a referendum before the election."

The rally, which began around 2:05pm, was part of the eight-party alliance's ongoing demonstrations over its five-point demand. The demands include holding the next election under the proportional representation system and retaining the amended Representation of the People Order without further changes.

The rally was conducted by Jamaat assistant general secretaries Hamidur Rahman Azad and Rafiqul Islam Khan, the party's Dhaka South Secretary Shafiqul Islam Masud, Islami Andolon Joint Secretary Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum, and Assistant Publicity Secretary KM Shariyatullah.

The Jamaat ameer said, "We speak politely, but on our demands, we are as firm as the Himalayas. People will not bow to fascism. The movement will continue until the people's demands are fulfilled. The government should understand this and hold the referendum before the election."

Also calling for the referendum to be held before the polls, Islami Andolon Bangladesh Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said, "If legal recognition [of the charter] is not given, the election will be illegal."

Addressing the government, he added, "If you don't act, we'll launch a movement strong enough to compel you to hold the referendum before the polls."

Hamidur Rahman Azad said, "The fascist regime amended the constitution to remove the provision for a referendum. Those now claiming the constitution doesn't allow it are actually echoing Hasina's tone."

He added that if the constitution is to be followed, the election should be held in 2029 since the last one was in 2024. "By invoking the 1972 constitution, you're trying to build [a new era of] fascism."

Warning the government, Azad said, "We don't want to march from here to the Jamuna for a siege. Implement the July charter without delay and announce the referendum schedule."

He claimed that through the referendum and the election, "the patriotic and Islamic forces that triumphed in Ducsu, Cucsu, Jucsu, and Rucsu will show their strength again at the national level".

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Mamunul Haque said, "The July charter was written on national consensus. People don't want it to remain on paper only; they want it to be the roadmap for a new Bangladesh. Those opposing the referendum want to revive fascism. We earned this country with blood, and we'll save it with blood."

Jamaat Secretary General Golam Porwar also said the election would be "invalid" if the charter and referendum were not implemented.

Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad said, "Our demand must be met. In future, we will not tolerate any rule that goes against the Holy Quran."

Jatiya Ganatantrik Party Spokesperson Rashed Pradhan said, "We won't let the uprising be questioned through a question-base referendum on the day of the symbol-based election."

Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon Secretary General Habibullah Miazi, Bangladesh Nizame Islam Party Ameer Sarwar Kamal Azizi, and Bangladesh Development Party President Anwarul Islam Chan also addressed the rally.

SHIBIR PROGRAMME

Islami Chhatra Shibir yesterday announced a two-day programme protesting what it described as acts of sabotage by activists of the Awami League, the party whose activities have been banned. The student organisation will also demand trials for all killings, including those in July, and legal recognition of the July charter.

According to the announcement, Shibir will hold protest marches and rallies in all divisional cities today and in Dhaka tomorrow.