Minister without portfolio Suranjit Sengupta on Monday proposed forming an all-party parliamentary committee headed by opposition leader Khaleda Zia to hammer out a formula on an interim or caretaker government to hold the next parliamentary polls.
Suranjit while speaking in an unscheduled discussion in the parliament on Monday, made the proposal. “Please, come to parliament. Let us form a special parliamentary committee, headed by you, to find out ways of forming a caretaker or government,” Suranjit told the House referring to the leader of the opposition.
The minister said the people heaved a sigh of relief as the BNP came to parliament to place its formula on the non-party caretaker government to hold the next general elections.
“When we suggested them to discuss the formula in parliament in line with the Rules of Procedure, they stayed away from the House,” he said.
The minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called Khaleda Zia to settle the differences of opinion on the transitional government for holding the next polls.
“Khaleda Zia’s response to Sheikh Hasina demonstrated that Bangladesh’s politics had got devoid of decency and norms,” he said.
Suranjit also blamed the BNP-Jamaat alliance for attacks on Hindu communities in Sathia, Pabna.
Tofail Ahmed, Mayeen Uddin Khan Badal and Abdul Matin Khasru also took part in the unscheduled discussion initiated by Fazle Rabbi Miah, who demanded extradition of Chowdhury Mueen Uddin and Ashraf Uddin Khan to face execution for the killings of the martyred intellectuals.
Tofail criticised the BNP-Jamaat for destroying the academic activities by calling hartals.
Former law minister Abdul Matin Khasru in his speech said the opposition leader must bear the responsibility for the loss of 18 lives during the shutdown. He also asked whether the government could file cases against Khaleda Zia for the deaths.
Mayeen Uddin Khan Badal said the BNP-Jamaat leaders misinterpreted Islam for political gains.
“Inshallah, I can guarantee that you [the BNP-Jamaat] will go to hell [on the Judgement day] before me, not after,” Badalsaid.