The MPs on Wednesday demanded the Speaker’s ruling about what they said the derogatory remarks of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Parliament.
They placed the demand while speaking in the House on point of order.
Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim of Awami League initiated a debate saying that the TIB at a recent press conference said that the 10th parliament is short-lived and there is no opposition in the Parliament right now.
“We are here for five years; why they (TIB) make such baseless talks and whom they want to make happy,” he said, adding “the TIB (people) are blind although they have eyes.”
Pointing to Raushan Ershad, Sheikh Selim said: “Here is our opposition leader, she is sitting here. She comes to Parliament almost daily.”
Talking about the TIB’s claim for another election, he said: “For what the election will be given; for whose interest. Election is for the people, not for the terrorists.”
In this connection, the veteran Awami League MP said: “During the election, the BNP-Jamaat evil nexus killed more than 130 people.
He said the claim of TIB is like that of Khaleda. The BNP did not participate in the last election and now the TIB is advocating fresh election for the BNP.
“The next election will be held as per the Constitution. There will be no caretaker or fairtaker. Election will be held under the government of Sheikh Hasina and they have to come to the election under that system.”
Sheikh Selim said TIB is an NGO and their purpose is to make people aware about corruption. “It is not their jurisdiction to talk about political parties, politicians and (Jatiya) Sangsad. They just cross their limit.”
“Who are TIB to give advice?” he asked and requested the Speaker to give a ruling in this connection.
The ruling party MP asked the NGO Bureau to look into the funding and expenditure of TIB. “You’ve to look from where they get fund and for which purpose they spent their money. You’ve to look if there is any funding from them to the terrorists and militants.”
He also requested the Finance Minister to inquire about the wealth of the so-called civil society and how they lead life of luxury; what is their source of income.
Sheikh Selim also urged the Finance Minister to give a detailed report in the House.
Opposition Whip Shawkat Chowdhury strongly condemned the TIB statement that there is no opposition in Parliament. “They’ve seen such an opposition party which did not come to Parliament but get the remuneration. We are not like them,” he said pointing at the opposition party of the 9th Parliament.
Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud also demanded a ruling from the Speaker saying that they (TIB) never wanted the 10th general election.
“They wanted to bring a specific party to power.” He said.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzman on Tuesday at a press conference said that the 10th Parliament in a sense is the ‘house without opposition’.
He said many debates and controversies have been prevailing about the 10th Parliament. “We think, the exceptional nature of the 10th Parliament will come to end and a new parliament will be formed with the participation of all political parties.”
Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Mia, who was in the chair, said that the remarks of the TIB was unfortunate.
“Parliament always upholds the constitution and this Parliament is doing that,” he said.
Source: UNBConnect
