MM Rahmatullah: Amid growing public concerns over rising prices, energy shortages, unemployment, corruption, extortion and the demand for political change, the newly formed Gono Odhikar Party (PRP) says it wants to build a people-centred political platform focused on basic rights, justice, good governance and accountability.

The party describes itself as a moderate Islamic political force that seeks to combine religious values, patriotism, democracy and social justice. At the same time, it says religious harmony, equal citizenship, the rule of law and protection of individual rights will remain central to its politics.

In an exclusive interview, PRP Chairman Sardar Md Abdus Sattar outlined the party`s political priorities, its approach to the upcoming local government elections, possible alliances with other political forces, its proposals for addressing the country`s energy crisis and rising commodity prices, and its roadmap for fighting corruption and unemployment.

He said politics should be regarded as a means of serving people and protecting their rights—not as an instrument for enjoying power.

Putting people`s rights at the centre

According to Sattar, the principal objective behind the formation of PRP is to establish people`s fundamental rights, ensure justice, eliminate corruption and inequality, and create an accountable system of governance.

He said the party wants to move away from a political culture dominated by power, patronage and personal interests.

“Politics is a means of serving people; it should not be a tool for enjoying power,” he said.

The party`s agenda, he explained, includes protecting people`s voting rights, freedom of expression, access to justice, employment opportunities and the right to live a safe and dignified life.

PRP also plans to strengthen direct communication with people at the grassroots level and bring the problems of farmers, workers, small traders, students, young people, women and expatriate Bangladeshis into the political mainstream.

A moderate Islamic political identity

Sattar said PRP respects the religious beliefs and values of the people of Bangladesh and considers protection of religious freedom and security a responsibility of the state.

However, he stressed that religious extremism, violence or deprivation of others` rights in the name of religion would not be acceptable.

He said PRP wants to uphold what it considers the moderate, peaceful and humanitarian values of Islam while ensuring equal dignity and security for Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and followers of other faiths.

The party, he added, wants religious values to coexist with citizenship rights, the rule of law and social harmony.

Winning public trust: the biggest challenge

For a new political party, the biggest challenge is earning public confidence, according to the PRP chairman.

He acknowledged that speeches and election promises alone cannot win people`s trust. Political organisations must demonstrate through their conduct that their words and actions are consistent.

Sattar said PRP intends to rely on ordinary people`s support rather than money, powerful individuals or political influence.

He also said party leaders and activists would be instructed not to become involved in extortion, corruption or abuse of power.

The party wants to establish an identity based on honesty, competence and people-oriented politics, he said.

Local elections and political alliances

PRP considers local government elections particularly important because they are closely connected to people`s everyday lives.

The party plans to give priority to candidates who are honest, competent, popular and connected to their communities, Sattar said.

On the question of political alliances, he said PRP would support cooperation among political forces when it serves the national interest and people`s rights.

However, he ruled out joining an alliance simply for sharing political power.

“If there is compatibility in principles, policies and programmes, we are ready to discuss with like-minded political forces,” he said.

Energy security as a national priority

The country`s energy crisis is another major concern for the party.

Sattar said energy security should now be regarded as part of national security because shortages of gas and electricity can disrupt industrial production and threaten the livelihoods of millions of people.

For the short term, PRP proposes priority-based energy management, preventing waste and illegal connections, reducing system losses and ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies to industrial areas.

For the longer term, the party wants greater exploration for domestic gas, increased investment in renewable energy and reduced dependence on imported fuel.

It also calls for long-term planning covering power generation, transmission and distribution.

The ultimate objective, according to Sattar, should be affordable energy, stable industrial production and greater employment.

Tackling extortion and market syndicates

Rising prices of essential commodities have placed significant pressure on ordinary households. Sattar blamed a combination of factors for price increases, including international markets, import costs, transport expenses, exchange rates and production costs.

At the same time, he said weaknesses in government policy and market management must also be addressed where they contribute to price rises.

PRP wants stronger market monitoring, transparency throughout the supply chain and firm action against illegal syndicates and extortion.

The party also says genuine traders and consumers must be protected.

At the grassroots level, PRP activists would collect complaints from people and bring them to the attention of relevant authorities.

Sattar emphasised, however, that political activists should not take the law into their own hands.

“The responsibility of a political party is to speak for the people and compel state institutions to perform their duties,” he said.

A roadmap against corruption

Sattar said corruption cannot be eliminated merely through political speeches. Structural reforms within the state are necessary.

PRP proposes greater transparency in administrative and financial systems, wider use of digital public services, stronger accountability in government procurement and quick, impartial legal action against corruption.

Digitising public services, he said, could reduce opportunities for corruption by limiting unnecessary intermediaries and increasing transparency.

He also called for merit and competence to be prioritised in recruitment and promotion and for anti-corruption institutions to be allowed to work independently.

For PRP, he said, the fight against corruption is not merely a political slogan but a fundamental principle of governance.

What would PRP do in its first 10 days in power?

Asked what the party would do during its first 10 days in government, Sattar outlined several immediate priorities.

First, the party would seek to introduce greater transparency in public procurement and tendering.

Second, it would take administrative and legal measures against extortion and illegal collection of money.

Third, it would strengthen accountability among public officials.

Fourth, it would prevent political influence from being used to control businesses, tenders or administrative decisions.

Importantly, Sattar said PRP leaders and activists would not receive protection from the party if they became involved in corruption or extortion.

Jobs and opportunities for young people

Youth unemployment is another key issue in PRP`s political programme.

Sattar argued that young people should not be viewed only as job seekers. They should also be encouraged to become entrepreneurs and creators of employment.

In the short term, the party proposes expanding skills development, technical education, freelancing, information technology, small businesses and industry-oriented training.

It also wants young entrepreneurs to have easier access to loans and business guidance.

Over the longer term, Sattar said, education and industry must be brought closer together so that training programmes reflect the actual needs of the labour market.

He identified agriculture, information technology, manufacturing, tourism, healthcare and various service sectors as potential areas for job creation.

PRP`s goal, he said, is a Bangladesh where young people do not have to wait for years for employment but can use their skills to create jobs for themselves and others.

“Judge us by our work”

Addressing the general public, Sattar urged citizens not to fear politics but to exercise their democratic rights by choosing honest and competent leaders.

He said PRP does not want to view citizens merely as voters but as the true owners of the state.

The party`s vision, he said, is of a Bangladesh where religious values and humanity coexist without discrimination; development takes place without corruption; and industrial growth creates employment rather than leaving unemployment as an accepted reality.

Sattar also sought to avoid making what he described as unrealistic promises.

Instead, he asked voters to judge the party by its work, the behaviour of its leaders and activists, and its policies and programmes.

For PRP, the political message is straightforward: people`s rights, a justice-based state, good governance, employment and a corruption-free Bangladesh.