President M Abdul Hamid today said that his indoctrination cum first ascension in politics was at the hands of Bangabandhu while his second ascension in 1996 was through the hands and initiatives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"My indoctrination cum first ascension in politics was at the hands of Bangabandhu . . . My second ascension in 1916 was through the hands and initiatives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," the President told the Jatiya Sangsad while addressing the 'Special JS Session' marking the Golden Jubilee (50-year of the parliament) this afternoon.
He added: "It is because of Bangabandhu's immense love and his foresightedness that I have reached this position today. I am more proud of identifying myself as a soldier of Bangabandhu's ideology than as a President."
Apparently in his farewell address to the House chaired by JS Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, he also expressed his gratitude to Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"If the Prime Minister had not given me the rank of Deputy Speaker that day, my politics would have revolved around Kishoreganj," the President mentioned.
He continued: "I met Bangabandhu in 1966. I was a student of Kishoreganj Gurudayal College. I became a follower of Bangabandhu's principles and ideals from then".
Abdul Hamid said, Bangabandhu used to meet sometimes and sometimes he himself would call him. "At that time, Bangabandhu was my only meditation. His principles, ideals and guidance were the most important thing for me to follow and emulate," he added.
"Just because Bangabandhu was the only role model for many of the youth of East Pakistan at that time; it is impossible for anyone, who has ever felt Bangabandhu's hand on the back or the touch of his affection, to forget Bangabandhu," the President recalled.
He said Bangabandhu always gave equal importance to socio-economic development as well as the development of democracy. Therefore, in his speech on 7th March, Bangabandhu talked about economic freedom along with political freedom.
The President mentioned the visionary leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu in making the Jatiya Sangsad effective after the Great War of Liberation.
After the Great Liberation War, Abdul Hamid said, Bangabandhu took the initiative to start reconstruction activities after post war situation and also the make a effective parliament.
"In independent Bangladesh, the first session of the Constituent Assembly began on April 10, 1972 at Sangsad Bhaban in Tejgaon, Dhaka. Our Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 4, 1972 and came into force on December 16, 1972," he mentioned.
Making one of the best constitutions in the world within such a short period of independence is undoubtedly a matter of pride for any democratic country, the President said.
"Our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first signatory of this constitution. My signature number was 71. Under this constitution, the first Jatiya Sangsad Election was held on March 7, 1973. Exactly one month after that, the first sitting of the JS was held on April 7 of the same year. Today marks the completion of 50 years of the JS," Hamid mentioned.
Recalling the speech of the Leader of the House Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, President Hamid said, "On that day, Bangabandhu said - Members of Parliament will always cooperate with you in fulfilling your duties. I hope you will conduct your work impartially keeping in mind the tradition of the parliamentary system".
Bangabandhu said, "We want to follow the principles contained in the Parliamentary Convention of the world. At the same time, we can follow such a parliamentary system, so that the world can learn from us".
President Hamid said even if there was no opposition party in the parliament, the parliamentary session would have been lively as argument and presentation of opinion was very interesting.
He said that Suranjit Sengupta, the only parliament member elected from NAP, always got the opportunity if he wanted to speak in Parliament. Even though the Speaker sometimes refused to give him the microphone, Bangabandhu used to say, "Give him a chance, the opposition must be heard first."
Bangabandhu said about formation of committee for the purpose of drafting constitution, "Not only that we will make a committee from our party members, but we will discuss with everyone, regardless of the party, so that the people can be given a fair constitution according to their wishes, for this purpose, I will ask everyone's opinion. The constitution will have human rights, which people can enjoy forever".
Pointing out that Bangabandhu gave priority to party discipline along with parliamentary activities, the President said, on the first working day of the first session, Bangabandhu said: "I want to remind honourable members of parliament one more thing that before bringing any proposal, discuss it in the party and then present it. Otherwise, it will destroy party discipline".
Abdul Hamid said, Bangabandhu used to keep abreast of the needs and complaints, joys and sorrows of the parliamentarians and did everything possible for them when necessary.
Recalling Bangabandhu's manners and absolute tolerance in politics, he said, if someone spoke against Bangabandhu in Parliament, the Speaker would often get embarrassed, but it was not Bangabandhu.
The President said Bangabandhu used to speak with due respect to the leaders of the opposition parties irrespective of the political ideologies.
In fact, he said, there is no substitute for etiquette and absolute tolerance in politics.
The tenure of Hamid's second term as the President will end on April 24. President Hamid was elected lawmakers for eight consecutive terms. Abdul Hamid was Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the parliament.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha