'Let’s Run the Country Together'

Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman has called for mutual respect, cooperation, and constructive politics between the government and the opposition in the National Parliament. He said all sides must work together in the national interest instead of attacking one another.

Shafiqur Rahman made the remarks on Monday while participating in the budget discussion in Parliament.

Shafiqur Rahman alleged that many speakers from the ruling party first “cut the opposition’s remarks to pieces” and then go on to call for running the country in unity.

He urged MPs to “throw away that cutting machine” and run the country through mutual coordination and cooperation.

“The opposition’s role is not to oppose the government for the sake of opposition. At the same time, the ruling party cannot dismiss or undermine the opposition. Both sides must respect one another and cooperate on reasonable matters in the national interest,” Shafiqur Rahman added.

He criticized past parliamentary practices, saying Parliament is not a place for flattering any individual. He said this institution, which operates with taxpayers’ money, should focus on responsible debate rather than personality cults, character assassination, or unnecessary praise.

Comparing Parliament to a two-wheeled vehicle, the Jamaat Ameer said, “One wheel is the ruling party and the other is the opposition. If one wheel breaks down, the entire vehicle cannot move. Therefore, both sides must remain effective and strong.”

Referring to the budget, he said the ruling party would highlight its positive aspects, while the opposition, in addition to offering praise where warranted, would act as a watchdog by providing constructive criticism of the government’s actions.

During his nearly 50-minute speech, Shafiqur Rahman also paid tribute to former President Ziaur Rahman, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, MAG Osmani, ASM Abdur Rob, freedom fighters, the mass movement of the 1990s, the 2024 uprising, and the martyrs of the Pilkhana massacre.