BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that a political party that had been loudly campaigning for proportional representation (PR) is now softening its tone and preparing for the upcoming national election.

Speaking at a discussion organised by mosque-based education caretakers of the Islamic Foundation at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Kakrail on Saturday, he said that using religion to mislead people for political advantage goes against Islamic teachings.

Fakhrul alleged that the absence of democracy in the country has led to the deprivation of people’s basic and religious rights, adding that some clerics once gave Sheikh Hasina the title “Mother of Qawmi.” He said the previous government politicised all state institutions.

Claiming that the BNP has never engaged in backdoor politics, he accused certain groups of staying invisible in anti-Hasina movements while maintaining influence on university campuses under the cover of the Chhatra League.

The BNP leader further said that the country is undergoing changes and that the Chief Adviser has indicated elections may be held in February.

He added that despite months of discussions on reforms, the final proposal of introducing PR remains unclear even to experts, let alone the general public.

Referring to the planned referendum, he said voters will face four questions on one ballot—something he believes most people will struggle to understand even on the last day.