Party loud on PR now walks back stance, heads into election: Fakhrul

Bangla Press Desk:   BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Saturday that a party that had strongly campaigned for proportional representation (PR) is now softening its stance and moving towards the election.

He said deceiving people is not a teaching of Islam and that exploiting religion for political gain—such as “selling tickets to heaven”—is not supported by the faith.

Speaking at a discussion organised by mosque-based community education caretakers of the Islamic Foundation at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka’s Kakrail, Fakhrul said the rights of people of all faiths and backgrounds are protected only when democracy exists.

He accused Sheikh Hasina of taking away citizens’ rights, including the right to practise religion, and noted that some clerics had bestowed on her the title “Mother of Qawmi”.

He said the previous government politicised every institution and alleged that those who claim to oppose Hasina were never seen joining visible anti-government movements, instead staying under the protection of the Chhatra League on university campuses.

Fakhrul said Bangladesh is undergoing change, noting that the chief adviser has announced an election in February.

“Many scholars have come from abroad to advise on reforms. After eight to nine months of discussions, they are now talking about PR—something even we struggle to understand, and ordinary people will find even more difficult,” he said.

He also criticised the proposed referendum plan, saying: “They talk about holding a referendum with four questions on one ballot. People do not understand it yet, and they will not understand it even on the final day.”

BP/SP