Hailing the Jatiya Party for its role as the main opposition in parliament, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the opposition’s duty was to assist the government.
“If the government does anything wrong, the opposition must criticise it. But it is the duty of the opposition to cooperate with the government. The incumbent opposition is doing this and they are attending parliament sessions,” Hasina told the House.
She thanked Leader of the Opposition Rawshan Ershad for her role and expressed hope that the opposition would play its due role in parliament.
The premier said some countries were interfering in the country’s internal affairs and were trying to treat BNP as the opposition.
“The opposition will come to parliament following elections. Why are the foreign countries talking about a party that has no representation in the House? The party came to parliament [during the previous term] only to receive facilities like salaries, foreign tours and tax-free cars,” she said.
‘BNP pleasing Pakistan’
Hasina also criticised BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman for claiming that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first “illegal” prime minister and Ziaur Rahman the first president of Bangladesh.
She said: “They are arousing controversy for making Pakistan happy."
“What is their motive for creating controversy over a historical truth? They are spreading lies to hide the misdeeds, including genocide, rape and arson during the country’s War of Independence perpetrated by the Pakistani occupation forces,” she said.
“They are now busy flattering the defeated forces.”
Urging people not to get confused, Hasina said it was high time to resist those who killed people through arson attacks, tried to foil war crimes trials, rehabilitated the killers of Bangabandhu and distorted the country’s history.
“Khandaker Moshtaq was a traitor and killer. He declared himself the president. He also made Ziaur Rahman chief of the armed forces. Why was Zia made the army chief following Bangabandhu’s killing? It can surely be said he [Zia] had a connection with the killing,” she claimed.
“People say Ziaur Rahman used to sign death penalties while having breakfast and he did not hesitate to do so,” Hasina said.