Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today congratulated the newly elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad and expressed hope that the House would function effectively and uphold democratic values.
Speaking in the inaugural session, he said Bangladesh’s parliament had been truly effective only for a limited period in the past, during which people had benefited.
“For most of the time, however, the House fell under the grip of fascism and functioned largely as a dummy parliament,” he said.
Shafiqur said many who had previously served as guardians of the House had failed to uphold their responsibilities to parliament, democracy, and the rights of citizens.
Referring to the newly elected Speaker, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, he noted that although the Speaker had been elected to parliament from a political party, he had already announced his resignation from a standing committee position of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
“We believe that from now on there will be no distinction between the ruling party and the opposition in your eyes. We hope to receive justice from you,” the opposition leader said, adding that MPs should have the opportunity to speak on issues related to public welfare.
He also urged the Speaker to ensure that the House does not become a platform for personal attacks, noting that previous parliaments had often spent significant time on character assassination rather than discussions on public interest.
Shafiqur expressed confidence that the Speaker, whom he described as a valiant freedom fighter, would lead parliament effectively and assured him of the opposition’s cooperation.
FP/MI
Couple killed in motorcycle-pickup van collision in Manikganj
Close Hormuz, shut US bases: Iran’s new supreme leader in first message
15 medical workers killed, 45 injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon
Ten of a family among 12 killed in Bagerhat road crash
Jamaat ameer urges impartial role from new Speaker 
367 flights cancelled at Dhaka airport amid Middle East security concerns
PM launches ‘Family Card’ programme
5,000 tons of diesel to arrive from India today
BB allows profit repatriation up to Tk100 crore
