AL allies of 16 years now back proportional elections: Salahuddin

Those who had supported the Awami League for 16 years are now advocating for proportional representation elections, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said today (5 July).

"They are now demanding proportional representation for elections in Bangladesh, yet they have never won a single seat in any election—not even as a union member or chairman," he said while speaking at a rally organised by the Keraniganj Upazila South BNP.

He said, "Those now demanding proportional representation from Suhrawardy Udyan belong to a fringe group. They previously aligned with the Awami League and helped legitimise past elections."

On 28 June, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) held at a rally in Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan, calling for sweeping electoral reforms, proportional representation, and urgent restructuring of the state to safeguard national sovereignty.

Speaking at the event, Salahuddin Ahmed said, "A section is dreaming of staying in power forever without elections, citing excuses like reform and justice. But that dream will eventually become a nightmare."

Islami Andolan calls for electoral reform, proportional representation at Dhaka rally

The BNP leader called for unity among pro-democracy forces and stressed the need to rebuild Bangladesh through democratic reforms.

Salahuddin urged BNP supporters not to forget the darker chapters of the nation's political past. 

"We seem to be living in relatively better days and have forgotten the horrors of the past," he said.

He cautioned against internal divisions, saying, "Efforts are underway to sow discord among the democratic forces. Some are trying to erase the history of Bangladesh's democratic movement."

"Some claim that the BNP opposes reforms and is only focused on elections. Those making such accusations will lose their deposits in the upcoming polls," he said.