Democracy is a matter of trust: Chief Whip

Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad, Md. Nurul Islam, on Sunday said that democracy is fundamentally a matter of trust, emphasizing that both the government and the opposition must have confidence in each other.

“We’ll trust the opposition, and the opposition will also trust us,” he said while briefing reporters at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban following the oath-taking ceremony of two newly elected Members of Parliament Md. Rezaul Karim Badsha and Md. Mahmudul Haque Rubel, reports BSS.

Referring to remarks made by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman after the swearing-in ceremony, the Chief Whip said the Prime Minister urged all concerned present there including lawmakers to seek assistance from the administration or inform him directly if any problem arises, but strictly warned against taking the law into their own hands.

He said the Prime Minister also reminded the MPs that they were elected to serve the people and ensure their welfare. “You must discharge your duties both inside and outside parliament to establish democracy. We want to build a truly welfare-oriented and humane state. In building such a state, you are my tools and hands,” the Chief Whip quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

On the energy situation, Nurul Islam said the government has provided an additional subsidy of Tk 36,000 crore to address the energy crisis. He alleged that Tk 27 lakh crore had been siphoned off from the country during the previous “autocratic regime,” adding that the current government aims to utilize national resources for public welfare instead of capital flight.