Jayanta Kumar Kundu, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) central committee assistant organizing secretary and the party’s in-charge for the Khulna division, has stated that no other polls can be held before the national polls to establish an elected government as early as possible. He also questioned the legitimacy of any polls related to Proportional Representation (PR) or other systems.
Speaking about his constituency, Jhenaiodah-1 (comprising Shailkupa upazila), he emphasized the need for positive attitudes and a sense of responsibility among leading political personalities. However, he noted that these qualities are largely absent in current leaders, which has deprived people of their civic rights, proper communication systems, freedom of speech, voting rights, stability, and structural development.
Kundu made these remarks in an interview with this correspondent of the Bangladesh Post at his Arappur residence in Jhenaidah town on Sunday, discussing how to make Shailkupa a beautiful and dignified upazila.
Kundu stated that peace and tranquility have not been restored in the constituency over the last 16 years under the Awami League government. He added that the mindset of political leaders has not changed positively, even in the 15 months since the interim government came to power. This situation has failed to ensure stability in cultural, political, and other sectors. Consequently, factional, political, and social rivalries persist, as they are interdependent. People from all walks of life are victims of this ongoing instability.
Jayanta said that most people in the upazila, with the exception of a few political and social hoodlums, are innocent, emotional, and honest. However, their livelihoods are being snatched away by miscreants who dominate society. He alleged that most appointments in non-government institutions are sold for large sums of money, and those appointed cannot serve the people effectively as they are unaccountable. Morality has become a distant cry for the people of the constituency, both in the past and present, Kundu said.
The BNP leader further stated that rivalries among political leaders have led to attacks on lives and property, vandalism, looting, tender scams, and other misdeeds, making life unstable for ordinary people. The bread of the underprivileged and disadvantaged is still being looted by politically influenced hoodlums through the manipulation of test relief, food-for-work, and other projects, similar to past government periods.
He also expressed concern that devoted and sincere BNP activists have not been properly recognized, while outsiders with different beliefs have entered the party with the help of influential leaders. These individuals, he said, are polluting the party's environment to fulfill their ill motives. The people of the upazila are now in a dilemma regarding their roles and responsibilities in the upcoming JS polls. However, he stressed that everyone must be brought under the same umbrella to fulfill the wishes of the common people.
Criticizing the role of the administration, the central BNP leader said that if he is nominated from the Shailkupa seat in the upcoming polls, he will ensure peace and tranquility with the help of people from all walks of life, as they are the ultimate authority to bring a representative to power. He pledged to take steps to set up industries in the upazila instead of concentrating them in Dhaka, so that many men and women can find jobs locally. Furthermore, he vowed to transform educational institutions into genuine centers of learning, where teachers are not involved in politics or other businesses, allowing students to acquire knowledge through a sincere and dedicated system.
