Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday called upon opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) to collaborate with the government to ensure the effectiveness and success of parliament, cautioning that any failure of the legislative body would ultimately be detrimental to Bangladesh and its citizens. ‘I would like to urge everyone: let us debate, argue, engage in dialogue and discussion, and sit together and talk-but under no circumstances should we allow this parliament to fail,’ he stated during his participation in the discussion on the thanksgiving motion on the President’s speech.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister’s address also served as his closing remarks for the inaugural session of the 13th parliament. He highlighted that the nation has embarked on its parliamentary journey burdened with a debt of Tk 30 lakh crore, emphasizing that a stable government and parliament are essential for Bangladesh’s progress. Rahman reaffirmed that the stability and effectiveness of parliament are critical, as any disruption could hinder the country’s advancement.
The Prime Minister cited historical instances, noting that hartals were enforced for 173 days in the past to destabilize the then BNP government, which inflicted significant damage on the nation. The consequences of such prolonged shutdowns, he remarked, are still being felt, with the country continuing to bear its impacts for years. He pointed out that since independence in 1971, Bangladesh has lagged behind other countries that gained independence around the same time, attributing this to the repeated obstruction of democracy in the country.
Rahman underscored that whenever democracy has been obstructed, all sectors, including the economy, education, and healthcare, have suffered. Agreeing with the opposition leader’s view, he noted that the success of parliament reflects the success of the entire nation. ‘This parliament means the entire Bangladesh. Its success means a prosperous future for the nation,’ he asserted.
He emphasized that in a parliamentary democracy, the government and opposition have a shared responsibility to ensure the system functions effectively. ‘I have said time and again that the government formed through this parliament must endure and succeed, as its success means moving towards prosperity. I believe this is a unique parliament, unlike any Bangladesh has had in the past,’ he expressed.
The Prime Minister reiterated his government’s desire to collaborate with the opposition for the country’s benefit. ‘Let us, on both sides, not seek to make each other fail. You and I together make a complete parliament. So, if you fail, I fail; if I fail, you fail. We must remember this. And if any one of us fails, Bangladesh will fail. None of us wants to see a failed Bangladesh,’ he added.
Rahman also highlighted the sacrifices made by martyrs in building present-day Bangladesh and its parliament. On the final day of the session, he reaffirmed the government’s readiness to engage in dialogue with the opposition whenever necessary for the nation’s interest. ‘We are always ready to sit with the opposition and discuss any issue concerning Bangladesh and its people. Through dialogue, we can move the country forward together and fulfil the expectations of our people,’ he stated.
The Prime Minister defended government initiatives such as family cards and farmers’ cards, describing them as investments to strengthen the rural economy. Responding to concerns raised by the opposition leader regarding his constituency, Rahman assured those necessary instructions had been issued to address the issues.
Reflecting on the responsibilities of the Leader of the House, he described the role as challenging, emphasizing that decisions must prioritize national interest over popularity. He identified key issues such as electricity shortages, employment generation, and improving education and healthcare access as priority areas for future parliamentary discussions.
Rahman also mentioned government initiatives like school uniform and bag distribution for primary students and health services as part of fulfilling election commitments. He reiterated the government’s proposal to allocate the Deputy Speaker post to the opposition, highlighting the importance of unity in achieving a prosperous future for the country.
The Prime Minister concluded by thanking all stakeholders for their role in successfully conducting the session and urged lawmakers to uphold the dignity of parliament by respecting the responsibility entrusted to them by the people. MPs from both sides of the House expressed their appreciation with desk thumping following his speech.
The session concluded with the passage of the thanksgiving motion on the President’s speech by voice vote, and Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad read out the prorogation order of the President. The parliament’s maiden session commenced on March 12 with the President’s address.