To us, PR means public relations

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed yesterday said conspiracies by both local and foreign forces are visibly afoot to obstruct Bangladesh's democratic transition, but the people are now united to foil such plots.

Talking to reporters at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's grave, Salahuddin said no one can deny that the people are now focused on elections, with potential candidates actively campaigning.

He opposed some parties' demand for the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system in the next parliamentary election. "PR means 'permanent restlessness'. Experiences at home and abroad show that it creates constant instability. Governments are rarely formed based on a majority, and parliaments often remain hung, leaving the country in uncertainty."

He said for them, PR means "Public Relations" -- connecting with people -- and that everyone is now engaged in that kind of PR by campaigning and building unity with the people. "That is the PR we believe in. Those who want to impose proportional representation to create permanent restlessness will not succeed."