BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu stated that the Proportional Representation (PR) system may become feasible in Bangladesh in the next 20-30 years.
He made these remarks during a discussion at the National Press Club in the capital on Monday.
“The people of Bangladesh do not fully understand the PR system, and it might become feasible here only after 20-30 years,” Bulu explained, adding, “People in our country are unaware of the PR system, and no country in Southeast Asia has it, not even India. They don’t understand it there either.”
However, Bulu believes that if the population becomes fully educated, the implementation of this system will be possible.
He also described the August 5 movement not as a revolution, but as a people’s uprising. “A revolution was on November 7, 1975, and the August 5 movement was a people’s uprising. It was not a revolution,” Bulu stated.
Bulu criticised those who claim to have single-handedly succeeded in the movement and positioned themselves as the heroes of the uprising.
He said, “At one point, the leaders of the quota movement were dining at the home minister’s house, the law minister’s house, and with various other ministers. Eventually, they had a meal at Harun’s hotel with his parents. That is where the August 5th uprising happened.”
He also referred to the 1996 caretaker government movement, highlighting the joint efforts of Awami League and Jamaat-e-Islami. “Had Jamaat not joined that movement and allied with Awami League, the Awami regime would not have come to power in 1996, and Bangladesh would not have faced such misfortune,” Bulu claimed.
In his criticism of Jamaat, Bulu added, “We saw that many of Awami League’s looters later became members of Jamaat, took an oath, and returned. Now, they are ‘Rukn’ of Jamaat.”
Addressing those advocating for reforms to delay progress and divide the nation, he said, “Tarique Rahman presented his 31-point plan to the nation in 2022. This plan is the nation’s liberation charter. It includes no demands outside the scope of reform. 31-point plan is the foundation for the nation’s liberation.”
Bulu stated the 31-point plan as the only reliable framework for Bangladesh’s political future. “If all political parties unite to implement it, the political situation in Bangladesh will change, and the country’s democracy will become stronger,” he added.