B’desh: BNP slams Islamist parties’ street protests, calls proportional representation demand ‘undemocratic’

BNP Slams Islamist Parties’ Protests Over Electoral Reforms in Bangladesh

Dhaka’s political scene is heating up as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) takes a strong stand against street protests by radical Islamist groups. BNP leaders say these moves, including demands for a proportional representation (PR) system in elections, could harm democracy and slow down key reforms.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir shared his views right after landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Thursday evening. He had just returned from Singapore and spoke to reporters about the joint programmes announced by parties like Jamaat-e-Islami.

"I think these programmes are unnecessary," Fakhrul said, as quoted by Bangladeshi media outlet UNB. "Talks with the Consensus Commission are still ongoing. Why create extra pressure when discussions haven’t wrapped up? This isn’t good for democracy or making the right choices."

Fakhrul also made it clear that BNP doesn’t back the PR system for Bangladesh elections. "We see no need for PR here," he explained. "The July Charter talks are covering several issues, and we can sort them out when the time is right."

Meanwhile, seven Islamist political parties kicked off a three-day protest starting Thursday. They’re pushing hard for the next national election in February, based on the July Charter, and want the PR system introduced. The groups include Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khelafat Majlis, Nizam-e-Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA).

These parties warn of a "major disaster" if the July Charter doesn’t get legal backing before the polls. On Thursday, they held rallies in Dhaka, with local media like The Daily Star reporting lively crowds.

At a rally near the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar fired up supporters. "We’ve demanded elections under the July Charter’s legal framework," he said. "But one party keeps blocking constitutional reforms, ignoring what people really want."

Over at the north gate, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Jalal Uddin Ahmed echoed the concerns. "Without implementing the July Charter, a national disaster is unavoidable," he warned. "No election without it will benefit the country or its people."

Tensions are rising between these groups and BNP. Islami Andolan Bangladesh hit back at BNP, accusing them of opposing PR despite claiming public support. Remember, these Islamist parties once teamed up with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to topple the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina last year. Now, as Bangladesh gears up for elections, they’re clashing over how to reform the system.

With talks ongoing and protests in full swing, all eyes are on how Bangladesh’s political leaders will navigate these electoral reforms to avoid more unrest.

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