Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said his party will not oppose every decision of the government, but will also not extend support without proper understanding.
He said Jamaat would support and cooperate with government decisions and measures that are in the interest of the country and the nation. However, if the government takes steps that harm national interests, the party will act according to its responsibilities.
He made the remarks while briefing journalists after a meeting of the opposition parliamentary party at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad on Wednesday.
During the briefing, he said the inaugural session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad is scheduled to be held on March 12. “On this occasion, we held a meeting with all opposition MPs. We mainly discussed what our role should be as an opposition party and as elected members of parliament to fulfil the expectations of the nation,” he said.
He added that elected MPs from the opposition alliance attended the meeting and took part in open discussions on various issues.
“We want the Jatiya Sangsad to play an effective and meaningful role in meeting the expectations of the country and its people. We have already declared that we want to play the role of a responsible opposition,” he said.
The opposition leader said they would first point out the government’s mistakes, give it an opportunity to correct them and offer advice.
“If we see that our advice is not working, we will protest. If protest also fails, we will stand firmly for the rights of the people. We hope that problems can be resolved at the very first stage,” he said.
He added that much would depend on the goodwill of the government. “Since the government holds a majority in parliament, it can do many things by the strength of numbers. However, decisions taken through discussion and by considering logical arguments would be better for the nation,” he said.
Dr Shafiqur said the present parliament did not come into being suddenly but was formed under a special context. He noted that many parliaments in Bangladesh had failed to complete their full terms.
“After independence, the parliament formed in 1991 was the first to complete its full term. Later, the parliaments elected in 1996, 2001 and 2008 also completed their tenures. However, several other parliaments did not gain public acceptance and their moral legitimacy was questioned,” he said.
He said the election was not originally scheduled to take place in 2026. “According to the Constitution, it was supposed to be held in 2029. However, the election was held in the context of the events of 2024,” he said.
Referring to the 2024 movement, he said it took place through immense sacrifice, including numerous martyrs, injured individuals and people who became permanently disabled.
“Over the past fifteen and a half years, people endured repression, enforced disappearances, killings, imprisonment, secret detention facilities and exile. This change has come at the cost of many hardships,” he said.
He said just as the nation remembers the historic turning points of 1947, 1952, 1971 and 1990, the events of 2024 should also be remembered with equal importance.
Dr Shafiqur said that even after independence, people in the country had not been able to fully enjoy their rights as free citizens.
“Repeated authoritarian rule, misgovernance and corruption have harmed ordinary people, created discrimination in workplaces and curtailed people’s rights. For the greater national interest, we have accepted the outcome,” he said.
He said the two elections are complementary to each other. “First, we will begin our responsibilities as members of the Reform Council. After completing that term, we will serve as members of parliament,” he said.
“For this reason, respecting the same ordinance, we took two oaths on the first day — first as members of the Reform Council and later as members of parliament,” he added.
He further said that honouring July would keep the spirit of 2024 alive and make 2026 meaningful.
“If the spirit of 2024 is denied, the existence of 2026 will also become questionable,” he said.
He expressed hope that the Speaker of parliament would play a neutral and fair role and provide adequate opportunities to the opposition.
“If that happens, the beauty of democracy will be reflected and democracy will become sustainable,” he said.
Dr Shafiqur also expressed hope that the 13th Jatiya Sangsad would help Bangladesh move towards an effective and sustainable democracy.