Autocracy cannot be countered with autocracy: Manna

The Nagorik Oikya President and Bogura-2 (Shibganj) constituency candidate Mahmudur Rahman Manna has said autocracy cannot be confronted with autocracy and that the only way to challenge authoritarianism is through democratic means.

He made the remarks while campaigning at Mahasthan Bazar in Shibganj upazila of Bogura on Monday afternoon (February 2).

Manna said he had long been associated with the Awami League but left the party after concluding that it had deviated from its founding principles. He added that if the party were to acknowledge its mistakes, express remorse, and return to its core values, he would be willing to be part of efforts to rebuild the country together.

Referring to major political parties, Manna said weaknesses in principled positions are visible even among large parties. He stressed that his comments were not intended as criticism, adding that he wished to maintain cordial relations with them.

On the election, he said that despite his candidacy being announced, the concerned party had nominated another candidate, noting that he harboured no resentment over the decision. “That is their party’s internal matter,” he said, adding that he would continue his own electoral contest.

The Nagorik Oikya president also said he does not intend to personally attack or criticise any individual.

After the public outreach programme, Manna continued campaigning in several villages of Deuli Union. Later in the evening, he inaugurated Nagorik Oikya’s digital campaign vehicle at the Shibganj upazila headquarters.

Leaders of Nagorik Oikya at the district, upazila, municipal, and youth levels were present at the event.