PR system not yet suitable in BD: Tarique
Staff Reporter :
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday called upon all political parties to confront each other through political means instead of resorting to unfair tactics to block his party’s possible victory in the next general election.
Virtually exchanging greetings with members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami, he also sought their support and cooperation, saying the upcoming election is a major opportunity to build a secure Bangladesh for the next generation.
On the issue of electoral systems, Tarique said the Proportional Representation (PR) system is not yet suitable for Bangladesh given the country’s socio-economic, geographical, and political context.
“Voters deserve to know who exactly they are electing to Parliament as their representative. Under PR, there is no clear way for them to identify which individual is being chosen.
If any political party or leader wants to represent the people, they must directly face the electorate, win their trust, and secure their mandate through votes,” he said.
“What is surprising is that in today’s Bangladesh-free from fascism-it is not the ruling government, but certain political figures and groups, who once stood with us in the anti-fascist struggle, that are now showing the same tendency of the toppled autocratic regime to obstruct BNP’s success,” Tarique said.
He recalled that, in its attempt to suppress BNP’s rise, the ousted fascist government once turned the entire country into a massive prison and a dependent state.
“Even in this fascist-free Bangladesh, some parties and quarters still fear that if an election is held, people will choose BNP to form the government,” he said. “Out of this fear, they are resorting to unjust tactics and putting up conditions to block BNP’s win.”
Tarique continued, “My message to them is simple: face politics with politics. Put your faith in the people’s strength.
If BNP truly enjoys people’s confidence, then allow the citizens to exercise their right to vote freely instead of preventing them from delivering their mandate.”
The programme, organised by the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha-Christian Kalyan Front, was held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.
On the issue of electoral systems, Tarique said the Proportional Representation (PR) system is not yet suitable for Bangladesh given the country’s socio-economic, geographical, and political context.
“Voters deserve to know who exactly they are electing to Parliament as their representative.
Under PR, there is no clear way for them to identify which individual is being chosen.
If any political party or leader wants to represent the people, they must directly face the electorate, win their trust, and secure their mandate through votes,” he said.
Extending greetings to Hindu community members in Bangladesh and abroad, Tarique also paid homage to those who sacrificed their lives in the July-August mass uprising.
Speaking at the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir accused the Awami League of destroying the democratic framework of the country during its 16-year rule.
He alleged that Awami League leaders engaged in rampant corruption and siphoned off vast sums of money abroad.
Fakhrul also warned of attempts to erase the memory of the 1971 Liberation War, urging people to remain vigilant and united against such efforts. He stressed the importance of resisting extremism and fundamentalism in Bangladesh.
Highlighting BNP’s position, he said the party does not believe in communal politics and wants to build a rainbow nation based on communal harmony.
He urged Hindu community members to stay alert so that no one can use communalism as a tool to destabilise the country.
BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Gono Forum Executive President Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, BNP Vice Chairman Netai Roy Chowdhury, and party Executive Committee member Nipun Roy Chowdhury also addressed the programme.