“There is a purpose behind the PR system”—Mirza Abbas alleges against the government

BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said that the government is making a deliberate attempt to delay the elections by bringing forward the ‘PR system’ (representative election system). He expressed doubts about the real purpose of this system and said, “There is a purpose behind this PR system. Some will say we will do it, some will say we will not do it—in this way, at some point, they will say that the elections are not happening, so the time will have to be extended.”

He made these remarks at a rally organized by Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP on Shaheed Faruk Road in Jatrabari on Friday (August 1) evening in the ‘Memorial of the Martyrs of the 24th Mass Uprising’.

Mirza Abbas also said, “Hasina wanted to feed the people of this country EVMs, but she could not. She will not swallow the PR system either. The people of the country still do not know what the PR system is. First teach people to vote, then talk about PR.”

He also questioned the government's motives for the elections. He said, "Why is there such a delay in holding the elections? I suspect that there is a conspiracy behind their election announcements. We know that you will give dates and then mislead by saying something new. But we are ready. If necessary, we will protest for another 17 years."

He emphasized, "Justice delayed is justice denied - justice delayed means no justice. The government's delaying strategy is taking away the rights of the people."

Mirza Abbas also criticized Jamaat and NCP in harsh terms at the rally. He said, "They do the opposite of what BNP says. Sometimes they become ministers on the shoulders of Awami League, sometimes on the shoulders of BNP, now they are riding on the shoulders of NCP. But there will be no benefit."

He attacked the interim system of the current government, saying, “Government advisors now get government protocols and use the circuit house wherever they go. But we have been ministers and mayors many times, but we did not get such opportunities.”

Addressing those who criticize the BNP’s long movement, Mirza Abbas said, “Governments do not fall in a day. We have been shot at, jailed, and disappeared. You have not even shown any signs of stumbling.”

He said, “This fight is not only for BNP, but also for the people of the country to restore their rights. This movement will not stop until a people’s government is established.”