Dhaka, Oct. 17 -- Four left-leaning parties have refused to sign the July Charter and say they will launch a public campaign against it, alleging the document distorts the history of the Liberation War and alters the constitution's basic principles.

The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BaSaD), BaSaD (Marxist) and Bangladesh JaSaD said they would take their objections to voters nationwide.

They argue the charter, framed after months of cross-party dialogue, questions "the four fundamental principles of the Liberation War, the declaration of independence and the constitution".

The charter, described by organisers as a political agreement for state reforms, was signed on Friday at the parliament's South Pl...