Jamaat will be 'reasonable, logical' opposition, not compliant or confrontational: Shafiqur

Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami ameer and leader of the opposition in parliament, has said his party will not act as a disruptive or confrontational opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad, nor behave in a way that "holds parliament hostage."

"We will not be a 'hold-hostage' opposition, nor will we act in a manner that harms public interest," he said during an exchange with journalists in the LD Hall of parliament today (16 June), adding that his party will play a reasonable and constructive role in safeguarding public interest.

"We have previously seen two types of opposition politics in Bangladesh, one controlled by the government and another that created disorder in parliament and boycotted proceedings for long periods. Jamaat will follow neither of these approaches," Shafiqur said.

He said that the party's position in parliament has been clear from the very first day. "We will be reasonable and logical. Our party will speak only on issues related to public interest."

The Jamaat ameer said his party has already submitted notices on several key issues, including implementation of referendum results, the banking sector crisis, problems faced by expatriates, and cross-border "push-ins."

He warned that if the demand for implementing the people's verdict given in the referendum is ignored in parliament, the party would take the issue to the streets.

"It will be resolved either in parliament or on the streets. We will not leave this public demand, nor do we have the right to do so," Shafiqur said.

He noted that although a proposal has been made to form a parliamentary task force to address expatriates' issues, the government has yet to take a decision.

Regarding border push-ins, Shafiqur described the issue as sensitive, noting that although there was a request to withdraw the notice, their party MPs did not agree. 

"While the matter was once scheduled for discussion in Parliament, it was later withdrawn and reprogrammed."

He urged that the issue be discussed in parliament in the interest of national sovereignty.

During the budget session, Shafiqur questioned the timing of the supplementary budget, saying that while parliamentary procedure requires it to be presented in March, it was placed in mid-June, which weakens accountability.

He also alleged that hurried spending of large sums of public funds at the end of the fiscal year creates opportunities for waste and irregularities.

Shafiqur criticised development work during the monsoon season, saying quality assurance becomes difficult at that time.

Proposing a shift in the fiscal year from July-June to January-December, he said such a change could improve implementation efficiency and budget management.

On parliamentary conduct, he said personal attacks, character assassination, and excessive praise or flattery waste parliamentary time.

"We are not here to praise anyone; we are here to speak for the people," he said.

Responding to a question, he rejected the notion of Parliament being a "consensus chamber," saying that supporting rational proposals and criticising the government when necessary are essential roles of an effective opposition.

He added that walkouts may occur on certain issues, but the party will not resort to prolonged parliamentary boycotts.

On the proposal for a constitutional amendment committee, he said Jamaat prefers reforms over amendments to the Constitution and would consider any proposal for forming a reform committee.