‘A Party That Nominates in 300 Constituencies Now Speaks of PR’

BNP Vice Chairman Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan has stated that the lesson from the 5 August mass uprising is that there must be no further deception with the nation. Yet, he lamented, deception is still being practised. “On one hand, they speak of proportional representation (PR), while on the other, they nominate candidates in all 300 constituencies,” he said.

He made these remarks on Wednesday (20 August) while addressing journalists prior to attending a views-exchange meeting with freedom fighters in Bashail, Tangail.

Ahmed Azam Khan emphasised that meaningless statements and unnecessary debates only delay the nation’s journey towards democracy, keeping the country fragile.

“We must stop worrying about who says what. Everyone wants to make headlines in newspapers and television by issuing statements. This practice must end. Politics now must be about the nation, its people, and the economy. The opportunity to do politics with anything else has already expired.”

He further criticised the duplicity of certain political groups:

• Nomination Contradiction:
  “One party gave nominations in all 300 constituencies a year ago. Now they speak of PR. If you truly believe in PR, then nominations in all 300 seats should not exist. This is a clear act of deception with the nation.”
• Betrayal of Uprising Spirit:
  “If such deception continues, the spirit of the mass uprising of 5 August will be undermined. We do not want to return to the old politics of betrayal.”

Ahmed Azam Khan linked the current deterioration of law and order to political uncertainty.

He expressed confidence that the government has realised this and is therefore moving towards elections

He accused some groups of focusing solely on votes rather than the nation’s welfare: “Those who understand have no votes. They only think about votes, not the country. They speak of PR, reforms, and justice merely to stall the nation’s progress and democracy.”

Leaders in Attendance

The event was attended by several prominent BNP and freedom fighter leaders:

• Mamun Al Jahangir – Acting President, Upazila BNP
• Bir Muktijoddha Jahangir Alam
• Bir Muktijoddha Abdur Sabur Khan Chanu
• Bir Muktijoddha Wazed Ali Khanshur
• Nur Nabi Abu Hayat Khan Nobu – General Secretary, Upazila BNP
• Akhtaruzzaman Tuhin – President, Municipal BNP
• Abul Kalam Azad Pintu – General Secretary, Municipal BNP
• Rasheda Sultana Rubi – President, Upazila Mohila Dal