The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Tuesday termed the demands of some political parties for a proportional representation system and a constituent assembly election merely political rhetoric, while the National Citizens Party insisted that the demands were genuine and fundamental requirements for democratic reform in Bangladesh.
BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that the demands by some political parties for a proportional representation system and a constituent assembly election were nothing but political rhetoric.
Describing the demands for a PR system and a constituent assembly election as a tactic aimed at stirring up the political field, he said that an electoral mood was prevailing in the country and that anyone opposing it risked being sidelined from the political field.
Salahuddin made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the BNP chairperson鈥檚 office in the capital鈥檚 Gulshan area.
The National Citizens Party, which is demanding a proportional representation system and a constituent assembly election, however, refuted the remarks of the BNP leader, saying that their demands were not political tactics or mere rhetoric.
NCP member secretary Akhter Hossain told 抖阴精品 that their demands for constituent assembly and a new constitution were genuine and fundamental requirements for a true democratic reform in Bangladesh.
Salahuddin told reporters that the election would be held in the first week of February and that there was no doubt about this, but a few parties were trying to create confusion, which could be their tactic.
He said that the BNP expected a fair election while maintaining anti-fascist national unity and that the election would be a historic event in the country鈥檚 political history.
NCP leader Akhter told 抖阴精品 that elections alone could not safeguard the country鈥檚 democracy and that there had been instances in Bangladesh where elections were boycotted to defend democracy.
He said that achieving a new constitutional framework for the people of Bangladesh is far more important than the victory or defeat of NCP in the upcoming elections.
BNP leader Salahuddin said that his party did not want any complications regarding elections under the interim government, which has been formed with the consensus of all.
He said that the next government could reinstate the caretaker government system.
Any party鈥檚 decision not to participate in the election is its political freedom, but those who boycott with excuses risk losing relevance in future politics, Salahuddin said.
He also described some proposals in the July Charter as unreasonable and said that alternative proposals would be presented during discussions with the consensus commission.
The BNP leader said that nothing beyond the constitution would be acceptable.
He expressed hope that political parties would reach a position through dialogue.
Proposed constitutional reforms are possible based on consensus and can be implemented after the parliamentary elections, as some provisions may be conflicting if enforced immediately, he said.
Akhter said that failing to implement these reforms before an election would create a tendency to postpone them, reflecting a mindset resistant to reform.
He emphasised that the NCP鈥檚 demand for a constituent assembly election was aimed at establishing a new state system and structure to safeguard democracy, ensure balance, and uphold accountability in Bangladesh.
Akhter said that achieving a new constitutional framework for the people of Bangladesh was far more important than the victory or defeat of the NCP in the upcoming election.
He said that the NCP was committed to fighting for this goal.
Regarding election alliances, Salahuddin told reporters that there was no scope for an alliance with Jamaat, but an alliance might be possible with those who had been involved in joint movements and that they could also be part of the future government.
He said that discussions were ongoing with a few Islamic parties and that an alliance might be possible, though nothing had been finalised.