PM calls for effective, vibrant parliament
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said the newly formed Jatiya Sangsad belongs to the people of Bangladesh, expressing hope that the parliament will meet the expectations of citizens and play a meaningful role in the country’s democratic journey.
“Today’s parliament is the parliament of the people of Bangladesh. The people of the country are looking at this parliament with expectations,” he said while delivering a greeting speech after the address of the newly elected speaker during the maiden session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.
Earlier in the day, senior BNP lawmaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed was unanimously elected speaker of the House, while fellow BNP parliamentarian Kayser Kamal was elected deputy speaker.
Congratulating the two leaders, the prime minister said that once elected, the speaker no longer represents any political party but serves as the guardian of the entire parliament.
“From now on the speaker is no longer affiliated with any political party but the guardian of the whole parliament,” Tarique Rahman said, urging lawmakers to cooperate in maintaining parliamentary discipline and effectiveness.
He said democracy-loving people across the country are looking to the new parliament with hope and expectation, adding that lawmakers must work together to make the House meaningful for the welfare of the nation and its citizens.
Reflecting on the country’s political history over the past decade and a half, Tarique Rahman alleged that people’s democratic political rights had been curtailed during that period and citizens had been reduced to a powerless population.
According to him, the parliament during those years had been turned into a platform for those who had taken away the rights of the people.
“The individuals who introduced themselves as members of parliament during the past one and a half decades were not elected by the votes of the people,” he said.
“But today’s parliament is the parliament of representatives directly elected by the people’s vote. This is the parliament of the people of Bangladesh.”
The leader of the House said the government does not seek opposition for the sake of opposition, but rather wants to make the parliament vibrant through reasoned arguments and constructive debate.
In that regard, he noted, the role of the speaker would be crucial in ensuring that parliamentary proceedings remain effective and balanced.
“As members of the Jatiya Sangsad, we will provide the speaker with maximum support in conducting parliamentary proceedings, InshaAllah,” he said.
At the end of his speech, the prime minister extended greetings and congratulations to the newly elected speaker on behalf of the members of parliament and prayed for the success of the Jatiya Sangsad.
