Dhaka: Lawmakers today emphasized that the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) played a pivotal role in three significant historical events, including the July uprising, while other political parties largely lacked such involvement. Besides the War of Independence in 1971, the BNP was actively involved in the anti-authoritarian movement in 1990 and the anti-fascist revolution in 2024, whereas the Awami League and the opposition in the 13th parliament, Jamaat-e-Islami, did not have similar participation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the remarks were made during a discussion on the thanksgiving motion on the President’s speech, held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed presiding. Lawmakers also addressed various issues, including infrastructural needs in their regions and the implementation of the current BNP government’s election manifestoes.
The first session of the 13th parliament commenced on March 12, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin delivering his address. The Business Advisory Committee allocated 50 hours for the discussion on the speech, with Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam moving the motion of thanks, seconded by Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives (LGRD) Mir Shahe Alam highlighted that no other political parties, apart from BNP, have participated in these three major national events. Criticizing the opposition, he accused them of attempting to undermine the War of Independence by promoting the July movement, which he deemed unfair, emphasizing that the liberation war’s achievement is the nation’s highest.
He called on the opposition to support the government in its efforts to uplift the country under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership. BNP lawmaker M Jalaluddin from Chandpur-2 commended President M Shahabuddin for acknowledging in his parliamentary speech that the ousted fascist regime had misused police forces against the people and tarnished the Election Commission’s image through organizing three ‘farce’ elections in the past sixteen years.
Treasury bench lawmaker Rafiqul Islam Jamal from Jhalokhati-1 expressed that the people have a profound affection for BNP, which has come to power in every neutral election. He urged the government to establish a modern hospital at Kathalia and a 100-bed hospital at Rajapur to enhance healthcare facilities in his constituency.
Independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana from Brahmanbaria-2 stated that the July uprising was not merely a movement for governmental change but aimed at building a discrimination-free Bangladesh. She urged the government to recover the enormous siphoned money to stabilize the country’s fragile economy.
Opposition lawmaker Salahuddin Ayubi from Gazipur-4 called for the installation of a gas line in Kapasia to develop the area as an industrial zone. Several other BNP and opposition lawmakers, including M Kamruzzaman, Abu Sayeed Chand, Professor Nazrul Islam, SA Jinnah Kabir, M Abdus Salam, Abul Kalam, Gazi Nazrul Islam, Khelafat Majlish lawmaker Abul Hasan, and independent lawmaker M Abdul Hannan, also participated in the discussion.