BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today said there is no provision for a referendum in Bangladesh's constitution.

"If a referendum is to be held, it can only be done after obtaining the people's mandate, coming to parliament, and passing it there," he said while speaking during an event at a Dhaka hotel this afternoon.

The event, titled "Janatar Ishtehar", was organised by TRACE, a civic society organisation.

"If our demands are not met in Dhaka through consensus and negotiation, the only solution is to take them to the people," he said.

He stressed the need to maintain a culture of mutual respect, even in disagreement.

"You can't say 'we'll take to the streets' at every turn. If another party then also goes to the streets in protest, what will happen? If they take to the streets in response to those protests, won't there be clashes? Did we remove Sheikh Hasina for this reason?" he asked.

"The people of Bangladesh do not want to see confrontational politics. They want stability," he said, urging political actors to remain cautious and avoid provocation.

Amir Khosru also said those attempting to delay or obstruct elections might be trying to create instability.

"The issues on which we have not reached consensus, we will take those to the people in the next election. The matters on which consensus has been reached will be implemented," he said.

"If the people give us the mandate, we will implement it. But I cannot, sitting here now, accept that a few political parties will decide Bangladesh's future and determine what is good or bad," he added.

He also said some parties are attempting to enforce their demands beyond the July accord.

"There is no room to go beyond consensus. If you want to do something outside the July accord, put it in your manifesto. Come to parliament with the people's mandate. Please do not try to impose your ideas or force your thinking on other parties."