Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
BNP leaders on Wednesday accused Jamaat-e-Islami and several Islamist parties of destabilising Bangladesh ahead of the February polls by pushing for a Proportional Representation (PR) system.
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said in Dhaka, “Jamaat, along with other parties, is hatching efforts to create an unstable situation ahead of national polls over PR. People must determine the fates of those masterminding such plots.”
Vice-chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, speaking in Chuadanga, argued that PR had never existed in Bangladesh and debates could only follow the election. “Those who want PR can do that after the polls,” he said.
Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi termed the demand “a politically motivated conspiracy… nothing but a dishonest attempt to hinder democracy.” He added, “Only Israel and Nepal practice PR and both face instability.”
The criticism comes as Jamaat, Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Khelafat Majlish factions announced parallel three-day protests starting Thursday, demanding PR elections, recognition of the July Charter, and bans on the Jatiya Party and 14-party alliance. Other Islamist outfits have also unveiled similar programmes this month.
BNP, however, has instructed its grassroots to avoid confrontation. Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed stressed, “BNP is not in favour of PR. We oppose it in every forum.”
Analysts warn the Islamist push risks dividing anti-Awami League forces. Dhaka University’s Professor Sabbir Ahmed said, “Islamic parties want to show themselves as a strong political force. But if divisions deepen, the situation will get worse.”