Opposition leader Raushan Ershad urged the political parties to participate in a free, fair and impartial election by avoiding violence in the 12th national parliamentary election.
She made this remark during the closing speech on the last working day of the 11th Parliament on Thursday night.
The Jatiya Party (Japa) leader said: “In a parliamentary democracy, the parliament stands at the centre of all state activities. Jatiya Party consistently strives to ensure the Parliament remains vibrant, participatory, and effective. Opposition MPs actively engage in every session, contributing to legislative activities and participating in diverse discussions, including constructive criticism.”
Raushan added: “The existence of opposition within the legislature or parliament is essential in a democratic system of governance. It is necessary to present the people's hopes, wants and needs in the Parliament and to highlight the shortcomings of the government's work. It is the duty of the opposition to protest when the government proceeds with its own plans, ignoring public opinion and public expectations.
“The opposition party also actively collaborates with the government, approaching parliamentary proceedings with a constructive and positive mindset. The 10th and 11th parliaments have demonstrated exceptional effectiveness compared to their predecessors,” she added.
"In a parliamentary democracy, the opposition party plays a crucial role in holding the government accountable. Jatiya Party has excelled in this responsibility. Legislative bills are not passed hastily; instead, the opposition proposes constructive amendments and scrutinizes them based on public opinion. Consequently, the government has been compelled to accept these amendments, fostering cooperation between the government and opposition on various issues."
Addressing economic concerns, she pointed out: "Traders are facing challenges in opening import LCs due to high demand. Banks' import capacity has diminished owing to the dollar crisis, leading to a gradual depletion of the country's foreign exchange reserves. This situation is intricately connected to the money supply system. While Bangladesh Bank has introduced a contractionary monetary policy for the new fiscal year, effective market management is essential to curb inflation.”
The opposition leader said that there is a cold war going on globally for influence in geopolitics, and this trend of competition is intense. “We do not have the capacity to play international geopolitical games. Participating in these games could lead us into peril. Therefore, exercising caution and refraining from involvement in this significant global arena is the smarter choice.”
During the event, Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu called on the prime minister to bring all the parties to the discussion table ahead of the 12th National Assembly elections.
Directing his message to the opposition party BNP, Chunnu said: "I implore those active in the field, including BNP, for the sake of humanity, to consider the public's welfare and engage in discussions without any preconditions. The home minister mentioned yesterday (Wednesday) that those participating in protests will be heard if they come to the table unconditionally."
Highlighting the past alliance with the Awami League, Chunnu emphasized: "We have a history of collaboration with the Awami League, fostering a positive relationship. In light of this historical context, it is imperative that we navigate away from this current state of conflict."