Dhaka, Oct. 31 -- There is no scope for holding a referendum before the general elections, says BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

He shared the party's stance at a discussion on Friday as eight like-minded political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, are protesting to demand a referendum on the July National Charter be held before the general election.

He said, "I want to state very clearly -- we want to take part in elections, we want to contest elections. We want the elections to be held in February 2026 in line with the announcement made by the chief advisor.

"A group has risen up to thwart that election, to delay the election. They are trying to mislead the people by saying different things in different ways. But ...