Jamaat to act if govt takes ‘wrong steps’
Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Leader of the Opposition in parliament, said on Wednesday that his party would support government initiatives that benefit the country but would take action if any move goes against national interests.
He made the remarks while briefing journalists after a meeting of the opposition parliamentary party at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad.
Rahman said Jamaat does not intend to oppose every government decision. “If a decision is good for the country and the people, we will support and cooperate. But if something harms national interests, we will perform our responsibility accordingly,” he said.
The opposition parliamentary party held the meeting ahead of the inaugural session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, scheduled for March 12.
According to Rahman, opposition MPs discussed how they should carry out their duties both as parliamentarians and as a responsible opposition. “We want parliament to play an effective and meaningful role in fulfilling the expectations of the nation,” he said.
He added that the opposition would first highlight the government’s mistakes and provide suggestions for correction. If the government fails to respond positively, the opposition would protest and stand firmly for the rights of the people.
Rahman said much would depend on the government’s goodwill, noting that although the ruling party holds a majority in parliament, decisions taken through discussion and logical debate would be better for the country.
He also said the current parliament was formed under a special political context rather than emerging suddenly.
Referring to parliamentary history in Bangladesh, Rahman noted that several legislatures had failed to complete their terms.
He said the parliament elected in 1991 was the first after independence to complete its full tenure, followed by those elected in 1996, 2001 and 2008, while others faced questions about public acceptance and legitimacy.
According to him, the general election was not originally due in 2026. Under the constitution, it was supposed to take place in 2029, but was held earlier due to the political developments of 2024.
He said the political change in 2024 came after significant sacrifices, including deaths, injuries and long-term suffering during what he described as years of repression, enforced disappearances, imprisonment and exile.
Rahman added that just as the nation remembers historic milestones such as 1947, 1952, 1971 and 1990, the events of 2024 should also be remembered with equal importance.
He further said the opposition alliance had accepted the current political arrangement in the broader national interest.
Rahman also noted that members had taken two oaths on the first day—first as members of the Reform Council and later as members of parliament—under the same ordinance.
