Moyeen Khan sees shift in political landscape since Aug 5 last

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Moyeen Khan said there is a clear difference between the political analysis of August 5 a year ago and August 5 this year, reflecting the changed reality in the country's political landscape, report
agencies.
Speaking at a seminar titled 'July Revolution : The Advancement of Democracy' organised by the Human Research and Analysis Foundation ( HURAF)' at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Saturday, Dr Moyeen Khan stressed that all must work together to protect democracy in Bangladesh.
He noted that BNP, one of the country's major political parties, has survived through continuous struggle since its inception in 1978 until 2025.
Citing examples from the Mughal Empire to Pakistan's history of discrimination against its eastern wing, he said although Bangladesh achieved independence after defeating Pakistan, the country has yet to fully establish a democratic environment, and neither has Pakistan.
Moyeen Khan also criticised the role of ruling authorities, warning that there is no guarantee today's rulers will not turn into tomorrow's oppressors.
He said democratic governance requires accountability in decision-making and urged all to uncover the social and political truths of the nation.
Referring to the political situation over the past year, he said Bangladesh has faced numerous challenges, and the ruling structure has once again shown signs of deep political inequality - similar to what was seen under the Mughals and during Pakistan's rule - and that such disparities have resurfaced in 2024.
The BNP leader warned against the dangers of political dominance, noting that when one party holds 80-90 per cent of parliamentary seats, it creates a crisis of governance, as seen in the past.
He also recalled the sacrifices made by thousands who were killed under authoritarian regimes, saying, "We are able to stand and speak today because of their blood."
Calling for free, fair and inclusive elections, Dr Moyeen said democracy cannot function in parliament without the participation of all major political forces.
He also claimed that from 1978 to 2025, over 5 million BNP leaders, activists, and rural students have faced politically motivated cases.
Professor at Dhaka College Anowar Mahmud presented the keynote speech while convener of HURAF Ahmed Husaain presided over the discussion.
Dean of Arts Faculty at Dhaka Univerisry Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman spoke as the special guest while injured July fighter Fahim Hossain shared the experience of the July revolution.
Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee Member Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has said vested quarters want proportional representation (PR) electoral system to mislead the people, report agencies.
"We want people to vote based on a candidate's personality, competence and integrity and the people also agree with us. But some vested quarter want to camouflage with people in the name of PR electoral system," he said.
Hafiz Uddin made the remarks while speaking at a discussion on "Martyr Zia in the Great Liberation War of 1971 and the Establishment of Democracy" at the Khulna Press Club on Saturday.
"For the past 17 years, we have been struggling and fighting against the fascist government, during which many of our leaders and activists have sacrificed their lives. Yet, a few political parties are out to create trouble on the way to establish democracy," he said.
Khulna City and District Units of the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal organised the programme with its Khulna city unit president Sheikh Alamgir Hossain in the chair.
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal President Istiaq Aziz Ulfat addressed the discussion as the main speaker while BNP's Information Secretary Azizul Bari Helal, Khulna City BNP President Advocate Shafiqul Alam Mona, Khulna District BNP Convener Moniruzzaman Montu and Khulna City BNP General Secretary Shafiqul Alam Tuhin were present as special guests.
Hafiz Uddin said the Liberation War of 1971 was a fight to establish democratic society. But the Awami League has distorted the true history of the Liberation War.
After the Liberation War, Sheikh Mujib tried to establish BAKSAL, and today, similarly, there is an attempt to misrepresent the 2024 mass uprising to mislead the people, he said.
"I can proudly say that BNP and its thousands of leaders and activists took part in the 2024 mass uprising like in 1971. We are free today because of their sacrifice," he added.
Recalling the memories of 1971, he said, "We saw that the real freedom fighters came from the poor families. But after independence wealthy families snatched the identity of the freedom fighters."
Hafiz further said, "A normal situation is now prevailing in Bangladesh's politics. Wind of democracy has begun to blow."
He called upon all political parties to take part in the election saying a fair and beautiful election is possible when everybody would take in the election.
"Let me make clear that the dummy election of Hasina's era will not happen in Bangladesh again. If they do, the people of Bangladesh will not accept them."