UNB, Dhaka -- Main opposition BNP on Tuesday condemned what they called government's mentality to turn the parliament into a one-party parliament as reflected through a senior ruling-party leader's recent statement asking the absentee opposition lawmakers to resign.
Addressing a press briefing of the BNP Parliamentary Party at the Media Centre of Parliament at noon opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque said the ruling party should not forget that government's lifespan and existence become uncertain if parliament runs sans opposition.
"The cat came out of the government's bag Monday as a senior ruling-party leader in the parliament session asked the opposition to quit parliament by tendering resignation," he told reporters.
The Opposition Chief Whip said the BNP has continuously said that the government does not want opposition in parliament, which the government proved Monday. He again requested the government and the Speaker to ensure appropriate atmosphere for the opposition's joining in parliament to allow them properly perform their responsibility vested upon them by the people and the Constitution.
Mentioning their previous grounds for abstaining from joining the parliament session, the opposition chief whip alleged that the ruling party is unilaterally dishing out untrue statements from parliament against opposition leader and ex-PM Khaleda Zia.
"The government is making all-out effort to evict Khaleda Zia from her residence when the matter is pending with court. The government is carrying out hostile campaign in state media and meetings and seminars as well," he said.
He lamented that even the Prime Minister and Leader of the House herself also made statement over the issue in parliament Monday.
The BNPPP alleged that not only against the opposition leader but character-assassinating speeches are also being made in parliament against other leaders of the party.
They observed ruling-party lawmakers are also speaking in the current budget session about the national leaders. Specially "uncontrolled" statements are being made regarding late President Ziaur Rahman.
Referring to BNPPP appeal through media few days back to Speaker Abdul Hamid for creating congenial atmosphere for opposition's return to parliament, Zainul said they had hoped that the Speaker would respond to their call.
But, he said, it produced a reverse result because "the intensity of unilaterally speaking against opposition by ruling party has increased".
Source: nation.ittefaq.com
