Political scientist Professor Dilara Chowdhury has warned that the Prime Minister could become authoritarian if the government fails to implement the July Charter and related ordinances. She made the remarks on Sunday, May 3, at a national convention on energy, economic reform, and referendum organized by the NCP Reform Implementation Committee at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka.

Chowdhury criticized the ruling party for reversing institutional reforms related to enforced disappearances, human rights, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the judiciary that were outlined in the July Charter. She said that despite earlier commitments, no progress had been made on forming councils to ensure independent appointments to constitutional bodies. She also alleged that Bangladesh’s elite, civil-military, and bureaucratic groups were obstructing reform to retain power.

She further stated that if the government continues to ignore the July Charter and referendum commitments, it risks reverting to the authoritarian tendencies of previous administrations.