Law Adviser Professor Asif Nazrul today said that the government’s campaign in favour of the referendum is rooted in its commitment to reforms for public welfare and state interest, not in supporting any political party or seeking to remain in power.

“The governments traditionally took a position in all previous referendums in Bangladesh. No new government is formed trough the referendum,” he said responding to a question while briefing the media at the Foreign Service Academy here this afternoon.

He was addressing the briefing on the Council of Advisers’ meeting held at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO) here with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair in the morning.   

About the referendum slated for February 12, the law adviser said, “Since we assumed office, we consistently said that our main tasks are three-reform, trials and elections”.

Noting that the government has continuously advocated for reforms, he said the formation of the National Consensus Commission and formulation of the July Charter all were undertaken through government initiatives.

“We think the key expectation of the July mass uprising is reform. Now we are advocating for reforms. Will we remain in the government? No, we will not remain in the government,” Prof Asif Nazrul said.

“We took a position in favour of the referendum for public welfare and the state interest. We do not stand for any political party. If you observe, you will see all political parties have spoken in favour of the reforms,” he added. 

While there are differences in methods and processes, the law adviser said, no party has rejected the idea of reform itself.

“We are actually campaigning in favour of the referendum as per our commitment to reform,” Prof Asif Nazrul said.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were present at the briefing.