Dhaka, Oct 19 (V7N)- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged the opposition to move beyond confrontational politics and work together with the government in the national interest, stressing that political differences should not stand in the way of building a clean, peaceful and democratic Bangladesh.
“Recently, the opposition has been opposing for the sake of opposing. If we return to the old political culture, how will we move the country forward? Of course, they will oppose, but that opposition must be constructive,” he said on Monday.
The Prime Minister made the remarks after inaugurating the July Memorial and the modernisation work of Osmani Udyan in the capital.
Referring to a cleanliness campaign that gained attention shortly after the formation of the BNP government, Tarique Rahman said he had seen many people cleaning streets with brooms and dustpans after Fajr prayers during the government’s early days, but the practice had since become less visible.
“Let’s engage everyone in the interest of the country,” he said.
His remarks appeared to refer to Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, who reportedly went out to clean streets in his Mirpur constituency after Fajr prayers following his swearing-in as opposition leader in the National Parliament. At the time, he told reporters that party leaders and activists would continue the initiative in the area.
Tarique Rahman warned that if opposition activities created conditions for the return of authoritarian rule, it would amount to a betrayal of the spirit of the Liberation War and the July Uprising.
He said the sacrifices made in 1971 and during the July Uprising of 2024 shared a common aspiration: ensuring better education and a better living environment for the people of Bangladesh.
“Through the sacrifices of the martyrs, Bangladesh has returned to democracy,” he said, adding that the BNP viewed the significance of 1971 and the July Uprising in the same spirit.
The Prime Minister said voters had entrusted the BNP with governing the country through elections, while the opposition also had a role to play in Parliament. He expressed disappointment that opposition representatives had not attended the July Memorial inauguration despite being invited.
He acknowledged that political parties could disagree on various issues but said there was no reason to remain divided when it came to the national interest.
Tarique Rahman also said the opposition could contribute to discussions on constitutional amendments, noting that voters had sent both government and opposition representatives to Parliament to deliberate on such matters.
Emphasising the public’s desire for peace and stability, he urged political parties and citizens to avoid road blockades and protests that disrupt people's daily lives.
The Prime Minister also referred to his surprise inspections of hospitals, educational institutions and government residential quarters on Saturday. He said educational institutions appeared to be in comparatively better condition, while hospitals and government housing facilities faced more serious problems.
Questioning the lack of attention to cleanliness and the surrounding environment among some government officials, he called on citizens to work together to build a cleaner and more orderly Bangladesh.
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