
Bangladesh Nationalist party acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday strongly opposed the demand made by several political parties for the introduction of a proportional representation electoral system, saying that it would encourage ‘separatism, fascism and extremism’ in the state and politics.
Speaking virtually at a professional gathering and honouring ceremony for families of July martyrs and victims of Awami League repression at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the capital Dhaka, he said, ‘If we truly want national unity, the PR system must not be adopted.’
The event was organised by the Bangladesh Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad on the occasion of the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising that ousted the authoritarian AL regime on August 5, 2024.
‘The proportional representation system can create a confusing social reality and can become a cause of instability in the government. As a result, there is a risk that the independence and sovereignty of the country will be threatened,’ Tarique said.
He alleged that those attempting to maintain control over the interim government and using it to pressurise authorities for personal gain were the same forces creating deliberate obstacles to holding the national elections.
‘From my party’s position, I humbly appeal to everyone: please do not betray the blood of the martyrs. Instead of using dishonest tactics to gain control of the state and government for your own benefit, let us return to the path of democracy and national interest,’ Tarique said.
BNP standing committee member AZM Zahid presided over the event, where family members of the July uprising martyrs, injured, and victims of repression during the Awami League regime spoke.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was scheduled to address the event as a special guest, but he left early to visit the site of the
Bangladesh Air Force jet crash in Dhaka’s Uttara area and several hospitals to check on the injured, following party instructions to support the victims.
This led to the programme being shortened.Â
The BNP acting chairman in his speech reiterated that the credit for the July-August mass uprising belonged not to any single person, group, or party.
As political calculations and polarisation dominate the landscape, Tarique urged all to remember the sacrifice and spirit of the movement.
‘Let us not forget the martyrs amid the noise of new demands and shifting strategies,’ he said.
Tarique said that if the people began to believe that while the rulers had changed, the nature of the regime remained the same, it would pose a major obstacle to the institutionalisation of democracy.
He said that now was the time to repay the debt to the brave ones who sacrificed their lives to free Bangladesh from fascism, emphasising that the working class and professionals made the greatest contribution to turning the July-August movement into a mass uprising.
Tarique criticised the interim government for failing to finalise a complete list of martyrs even after nearly a year, saying that this failure could be seen as a significant historical shortcoming.
He pointed out that while some were eager to monopolise the credit for the uprising, the same urgency was not being shown in documenting those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Tarique called on the government to prioritise critical issues and expressed concern that the continuous addition of new agendas might distract from focusing on core reforms.
He also highlighted the need to recognise all those who gave their lives for Bangladesh — from the martyrs of 1971 to those of 2024 and others who died in the fight for democracy.
If the BNP comes to power, Tarique said, they would name government buildings and institutions after the martyrs of July uprising.
At the end of his speech, he prayed for the martyrs. He also prayed for those who died in the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash in Dhaka’s Uttara area on Monday, and wished a quick recovery for the injured.