Opposition should offer constructive criticism of govt
Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday said the opposition has the right to criticise the government, but such criticism should be constructive.
“The opposition can make different criticisms. But the criticism should be constructive. If the government makes mistakes and those are pointed out, democracy becomes stronger and the state becomes more effective and efficient,” he told reporters.
Rizvi made the remarks after visiting preparations for the BNP’s views-exchange meeting, scheduled to be held on Saturday at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital.
The meeting will be attended by presidents and general secretaries of BNP’s district and metropolitan units, along with leaders of its three associate bodies – Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal.
Rizvi said Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will attend the programme as the chief guest. The party’s secretary general and other senior leaders will also be present.
Leaders from across the country are expected to speak at the event and share their views on organisational issues and various government activities.
Rizvi said ministers concerned will also present analyses of the government’s effective measures taken over the past two to three months, as well as initiatives now being implemented.
“Our family card, farmer card and canal excavation are among many good programmes,” he said.
Referring to criticism and movements against the government, Rizvi said the country had struggled for democracy for 16 years, during which many people, including children, students, teachers and workers, lost their lives.
“In a democracy, the government will do its work and the opposition will criticise it. That is the essence of democracy and that is how it should be,” he said.
He, however, said that if programmes are taken with the intention of putting the government in trouble and falsehoods are spread deliberately, such actions amount to conspiracy.
Rizvi alleged that Sheikh Hasina had made many false statements both while in power and outside it.
“If politics follows that path, then it falls within the realm of conspiracy,” he said.
He added that democracy would be strengthened if the opposition remained constructive.
“If people think the opposition’s words are positive, they will evaluate them accordingly. The people are the final judge. In the next election, they will decide whether the government has done the right thing,” Rizvi said.
Among others, Mahfuz Kabir Mukta, president of the Nationalist Publicity Team, and Dr Touhidur Rahman Awal, vice-president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, were present.
