Desk Report:
The Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has said that the opposition party expects the National Parliament to play an effective and meaningful role in fulfilling the expectations of the country and the people.
On Wednesday (March 11, 2026) morning, a meeting of the parliamentary party of the opposition was held under his chairmanship in the opposition meeting room of the National Parliament Building. The meeting was attended by elected members of parliament from 11 parties. After the meeting, the Leader of the Opposition briefed journalists in the LD Hall of the Parliament Building.
He said that the inauguration ceremony of the 13th National Parliament is scheduled to be held on March 12. On this occasion, a meeting has been held with all the members of parliament of the opposition party. There was an open discussion in the meeting about what they can do for the country and the nation as an opposition party and as elected members of parliament.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “We want the National Assembly to play an effective and meaningful role in fulfilling the expectations of the country and the people. As the opposition, we want to play a responsible role.”
He said, the opposition will not oppose everything unnecessarily, nor will it cooperate without understanding. The opposition will support and cooperate in the decisions and steps taken by the government for the welfare of the country and the nation. However, if any decision is detrimental to the country and the nation, the opposition will play its role according to its responsibility.
He also said, “First, we will point out the mistakes, give them an opportunity to correct them, and give suggestions. If that doesn’t work, we will protest. If necessary, we will stand firmly for the rights of the people.”
The opposition leader said, even if the government has a majority in the parliament, it is better for the nation to take rational decisions through discussions. He expressed hope that the Speaker of the Parliament will play a neutral role and give enough opportunities to the opposition.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, the current parliament has been formed in a special context. Although the election was scheduled to be held in 2029 according to the constitution, early elections were held in view of the political developments of 2024.
He said, “The 2024 movement took place through unlimited sacrifices, martyrs, injured and disabled people. This change came at the cost of 15 and a half years of struggle, torture, disappearances, murders and imprisonment.”
He said that 2024 will also be remembered as an important turning point in the history of Bangladesh, just like 1947, 1952, 1971 and 1990.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that along with this election, arrangements have also been made to form the Reform Council and the two elections complement each other. That is why, respecting the same ordinance, they first took oath as members of the Reform Council and later as members of parliament. However, he mentioned that so far, members of the government party have not taken the first oath and urged them to come forward in this regard.
He said that the opposition party will have full cooperation in implementing the four issues raised in the referendum.
The opposition leader said, “We will not oppose for the sake of opposing. If we cooperate, it will be for the welfare of the country and the people, and if we oppose, it will also be for the rights of the people. If necessary, we will fight inside the parliament and on the streets—this is the beauty of democracy.”
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also remembered the role of expatriate Bangladeshis with respect. He said that expatriates played an important role in the country’s critical times and they were the first to raise the demand for ensuring their voting rights.
He further said that the struggle will continue through the parliament to ensure the fair rights of expatriates. He welcomed the government’s initiative to demand that if an expatriate Bangladeshi dies abroad, the government will bear the cost of bringing his body home.
Finally, he expressed hope that through the 13th National Parliament, Bangladesh will move forward on the path of effective and sustainable democracy and a humane state free from corruption and misrule will be developed.
