Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu has criticised those advocating for the proportional representation (PR) electoral system, accusing them of attempting to restore fascism in the country.
Speaking at a discussion programme at the National Press Club on Tuesday, Dudu said, “Those who fear a fair election and wish to bring back the fallen forces of fascism are now promoting the PR system.”
He further stated, “The movement to oust Hasina is not confined to the July uprising; it has been an ongoing struggle for the past 15 to 17 years. Elections are the only pathway from dictatorship to democracy. True liberation can only be achieved through fair and participatory elections.”
Gono Forum General Secretary Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, who also spoke at the event, blamed the National Citizen Party (NCP) for pushing the country toward civil unrest. He said, “NCP is undermining the July unity by restoring fascism.”
Subrata urged the interim government to recognise Elias Ali and other BNP supporters, political leaders, who were killed or disappeared by the previous government, as martyrs and to issue a gazette notification in this regard.
Abdus Salam, adviser to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, said that NCP is attempting to isolate BNP politically, a common practice previously implemented by Awami League.
He said, “The only solution of this ongoing national crisis is a fair and participatory national election”.
The discussion was also attended by former MP Noor Afroz, Shakhawat Mukul, Lion Md Faruk Rahman, and Musavi Al Fardeen.