Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday delivered his first speech in the newly formed 13th Jatiya Sangsad, declaring that the parliament now belongs to the people and pledging to restore meaningful democratic debate after what he described as more than a decade of authoritarian rule.
Addressing lawmakers during the maiden session of the new parliament, Tarique said citizens across the country were watching the new legislature with hope and expectation.
“Today's parliament is the parliament of the people of Bangladesh. The people of the country are looking at this parliament with expectations,” he told the House.
The prime minister made the remarks after senior BNP parliamentarian Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikrom, and Barrister Kayser Kamal were unanimously elected as the speaker and deputy speaker respectively.
Tarique congratulated the newly elected presiding officers and emphasized that the speaker must act as a neutral guardian of the House.
“From now on, the Speaker is no longer affiliated with any political party but the guardian of the entire parliament,” he said.
Restoring parliamentary democracy
In his speech, Tarique repeatedly referred to the return of parliamentary democracy following what he called a long period during which democratic rights had been suppressed.
According to the prime minister, citizens had been deprived of meaningful political participation for more than one and a half decades.
“For more than a decade and a half, the democratic political rights of the people were taken away, and citizens were turned into a weakened population,” he said.
He alleged that during that period the Jatiya Sangsad had ceased to function as a genuine legislative body.
“The parliament was turned into a club of those who snatched away the people's rights,” Tarique said.
He added that many individuals who previously identified themselves as members of parliament had not been elected through the people’s vote.
“But today's parliament is the parliament of representatives directly elected by the people. This is the parliament of the people of Bangladesh,” he said.
Tribute to democratic struggle
Tarique began his speech by expressing gratitude to the people who had struggled to restore democratic governance in Bangladesh.
He paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the struggle for democracy and rights, recalling the sacrifices made from the Liberation War in 1971 to the political movements that culminated in the fall of the previous government in 2024.
He also remembered families who lost relatives, individuals injured during political movements, and those who suffered imprisonment, enforced disappearances and political harassment.
Tarique said people from all walks of life -- including students, farmers, workers, teachers, journalists, doctors, lawyers and professionals -- had endured repression while demanding democratic rights.
Even harsh detention centres known as “Ayna Ghar,” enforced disappearances and other forms of repression, he said, failed to suppress the democratic aspirations of the people.
According to the prime minister, the combined resistance of citizens, particularly the role of students and the public, ultimately helped restore democracy in the country.
Remembering Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia
In his address, Tarique also paid tribute to former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
He said Khaleda Zia had played a historic role in establishing parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh and protecting democratic institutions.
Tarique noted that Khaleda Zia had fought until the end of her life to restore democratic governance and people’s rights.
“The founder of parliamentary politics, Khaleda Zia, could not witness this auspicious moment. Therefore we remember her with deep respect as an uncompromising leader who defended the country and its people,” he said.
Quoting Ziaur Rahman, he recalled the late leader’s remark: “If the people themselves become a political party, then I belong to that party.”
Tarique said this philosophy reflected BNP’s political principle that the interests of the people must come before those of individuals or political parties.
A parliament for debate and solutions
The prime minister stressed that the new government wanted parliament to function as the centre of national debate and policymaking.
He said the ruling party did not want opposition merely for the sake of opposition, but rather constructive debate to address national challenges.
“We want to make this great Jatiya Sangsad the centre of arguments, debates and solutions to national problems,” Tarique said.
He called on all lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation, to work together for national progress.
“Our parties, opinions and programs may differ, but there should be no disagreement in building an independent, sovereign, safe and self-reliant Bangladesh,” he added.
Beginning of the 13th parliament
The prime minister also referred to the unusual circumstances surrounding the opening of the new parliament.
Traditionally, he noted, the previous speaker or deputy speaker would preside over the initial session.
However, that did not occur this time due to the political developments following the fall of the previous government.
In accordance with parliamentary rules, Tarique proposed the name of veteran politician and five-time lawmaker Dr Khondoker Mosharraf Hossain to preside temporarily over the House until the election of the speaker and deputy speaker.
Tarique noted that similar arrangements had occurred in the past.
He cited the example of the country’s first parliament in 1973, when then prime minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proposed Maulana Abdur Rashid Tarkabagish to preside over the inaugural session.
Call for cooperation
Concluding his speech, Rahman sought cooperation from both treasury and opposition benches to ensure that the new parliament fulfils the expectations of the people.
He said the government’s political vision is centred on improving living standards and building a self-reliant Bangladesh.
“Our politics is about protecting the interests of the country and its people,” he said.
Tarique also prayed for the success of the Jatiya Sangsad as it begins its new journey.