Ruling Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader hinted on Monday that a party with the second highest number of seats in parliament would play the role of the opposition.
“Being the second highest number of seats, Jatiya Party may play the role of the opposition in parliament while the independent lawmakers would remain as independent,” Quader told reporters at a briefing at party president Sheikh Hasina’s political office in Dhanmondi.
Mentioning the election results where independent candidates won 62 seats in the January 7 general elections while the JP bagged 11 seats, a reporter drew the attention of the AL general secretary on which party would act as the main opposition in the House.
The AL general secretary made a counter question saying which party should be in the opposition bench.
The reporter then said that the second largest party should be the opposition. Getting the reply, Quader said, “Then, you consider them (Jatiya Party) as opposition.”
Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, slammed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for spreading rumours against the government at home and abroad by indulging in anti-government activities.
“They have been involved in anti-government activities and spreading rumours against the government at home and abroad,” he said.
“If the BNP had moved forward with positive politics, it would not have fallen so suddenly. In trying to topple the government, they have fallen into the pit of collapse,” he added.
Over the price hike of essential commodities, the AL general secretary said commodity prices are rising all over the world.
“But they (BNP) are spreading propaganda by saying this situation is a potential famine,” he said.
Pointing a finger at the BNP, Quader said the BNP did not take part in the polls sensing the defeat.
“During the movement, it has been observed that they (BNP) are weak. They have not participated in the polls out of the fear of defeat. They then called the people to boycott the polls. But they failed,” he said.
