Highlights
- BNP refused the proposal, leading Jamaat to push for proportional representation (PR) voting system
- BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul confirms the election will be held in February 2026
- Fakhrul says NCP is no longer a political force
- He expresses trust in Dr. Yunus and the Army Chief to hold the election on time
- BNP wants Awami League, Jatiya Party and allies to also join the polls
Jamaat’s Demand and BNP’s Refusal
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami demanded 30 seats from BNP in the upcoming election. However, BNP did not agree. As a result, Jamaat is now trying to pressure BNP by demanding a proportional representation (PR) system.
“৩০টা চেয়েছে। আমরা উৎসাহ দেখাইনি। অনেক কম একটি সংখ্যার কথা বলেছি, যা তাদের পছন্দ হয়নি। আপনাকে আশ্বাস দিচ্ছি, জামায়াতকে আর আমরা মাথায় উঠতে দেব না।”
“They asked for 30 seats. We did not show interest. We suggested a much smaller number, which they did not like. I assure you; we will not let Jamaat dominate us anymore.”
Election Will Be Held in February
Fakhrul made it clear that the election will definitely take place in February 2026, and there will be no unrest.
“আগামী বছর ফেব্রুয়ারিতেই ভোট হবে। সংশয়ের কোনো জায়গা নেই। কোনো অশান্তি হবে না। মানুষ ভোটাধিকার ফেরত চাইছেন, নির্বাচন চাইছেন। উৎসবের মতো ভোট হবে ফেব্রুয়ারিতে।”
Translation: “The election will be held in February next year. There is no doubt. There will be no unrest. People want their voting rights back; they want an election. It will be like a festival in February.”
NCP’s Role
When asked about the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), Fakhrul dismissed their influence.
“আর এনসিপিকে আমরা কোনো শক্তি বলেই আর মনে করি না। এনসিপির এখন একমাত্র লক্ষ্য, বিএনপিকে সরকার গঠন করতে না দেওয়া।”
Translation: “We no longer consider NCP a real force. Their only goal now is to prevent BNP from forming the government.”
Read More: Mirza Fakhrul Wants Awami League and Jatiya Party in Upcoming Election
Confidence in Dr. Yunus and the Army
Fakhrul said that the situation has changed, and now Dr. Muhammad Yunus is serious about holding elections on time. He also recalled his meeting with Yunus and Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman.
“পরিস্থিতি বদলেছে। দলের পক্ষে আমি তাঁর সঙ্গে কথা বলি। দেখছি, এখন তিনি সর্বোচ্চ সিরিয়াস। আন্তরিকভাবেই চান ফেব্রুয়ারিতে নির্বাচন হোক।”
Translation: “The situation has changed. On behalf of the party, I spoke with him. I see that now he is very serious. He sincerely wants the election to be held in February.”
The Army Chief also supported the election, saying he wants the military to return to the barracks after fulfilling their duty.
Awami League and Jatiya Party Should Join
Fakhrul stressed that BNP wants a truly open election where all parties, including Awami League and Jatiya Party, can participate.
“আমরা বলেছি আওয়ামী লীগ ও তাদের শরিকেরা সবাই, এমনকি জাতীয় পার্টিও নির্বাচনে অংশ নিক। একটা সুষ্ঠু ও অবাধ ভোট হোক। এজন্য অনেকে আমাকে ভারতের এজেন্ট, আওয়ামী দালাল বলে গালাগাল দিচ্ছে। কিন্তু শেখ হাসিনার অপকর্ম আমরাও কেন করব?”
Translation: “We said Awami League and their allies, even Jatiya Party, should participate in the election. Let there be a free and fair vote. For this, many are calling me India’s agent or Awami League’s lackey. But why should we repeat Sheikh Hasina’s wrongdoings?”
On India’s Influence
Fakhrul admitted that India has an influence on Bangladesh because of geography and history but criticized India for supporting only Awami League.
“ভারত মুক্তিযুদ্ধের সহযোগী… সমস্যা হলো, বাংলাদেশ বলতে শুধু আওয়ামী লীগকে বুঝেছে ভারতের শাসকেরা।”
Translation: “India was a partner in our Liberation War… The problem is that India’s rulers considered only Awami League as Bangladesh.”
He also rejected the claim that BNP and Jamaat share the same politics.
“তারা শুধুই নির্বাচনী শরিক। তারা ধর্মীয় রাজনীতি করে, আমরা করি না।”
Translation: “They are only electoral allies. They do religious politics, but we do not.”
Call for Better Relations with India
Finally, Fakhrul said BNP wants open relations with India, including cultural exchange, book fairs, movies, and easier visas.
“আমরা চাই, ভারত সবার সঙ্গে যোগাযোগ রাখুক… ভুল বোঝাবুঝির অবসান হোক।”
Translation: “We want India to keep contact with everyone… Let misunderstandings come to an end.”
Source: Desh Rupantor
