Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushan Ershad on Wednesday hailed the Padma Bridge as a “symbol of our self-respect” and not just an infrastructure.
The Jatiya Party leader said this while exchanging views with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the general discussion on the proposed budget for 2022-23 in the House.
"There was a lot of criticism centring it. The dream has finally come true. I extend my heartiest congratulations to the prime minister,” she said on her first appearance in the House in about a year.
Raushan returned home from Thailand on Monday after seven months of treatment.
She thanked Hasina for her brave decision to build the bridge overcoming all hurdles.
Raushan also urged the government to take long-term steps to find a permanent solution to the country’s flood problem.
Meanwhile, this is the first time in the parliamentary history of Bangladesh when the leader of House herself left her seat to talk with the leader of opposition in the Parliament.
Sheikh Hasina enquired about her health condition.
Chief Whip Noor E Alam Chowdhury and Awami League MP Matia Chowdhury were with the premier.
Later, Jatiya Party MP Fakhrul Imam, who took part in the discussion on an amendment proposal on the Finance Bill 2022, appreciated the prime minister’s gesture.
"This is the great beauty of parliamentary democracy,” he said.
