STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday said solutions to all national problems must be found through dialogue with the opposition and stressed that stability in parliament is essential for Bangladesh’s progress.

“This parliament is made up of you [opposition] and me. If either of us fails, then Bangladesh itself will fail…. Both the ruling party and the opposition must work together, and under no circumstances should parliament be allowed to fail,” he said in his concluding speech of the first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.

The session, which began on March 12, ended yesterday after 25 working days. Tarique’s address came during the thanksgiving motion on the president’s speech, which was passed by voice vote.

“Agree to disagree is a recognised principle in every parliament across the democratic world. Yes, today much has been said about the July charter, but I will not go into that debate,” he said.

The prime minister said consensus had been reached on some bills, while differences remained on others. “From my party’s position, I want to state clearly: on issues where we disagree, we will sit with opposition members, we will discuss, and we will find solutions in the national interest.”

He reiterated the proposal for making a Deputy Speaker from the opposition. “The opposition did not accept it due to their party’s decision. That is their policy matter. But today I want to make it clear once again: this proposal remains open to the leader of the opposition, and opposition MPs. By keeping it open, we have tried to demonstrate our genuine intention.”

Tarique warned that obstruction of democracy harms the economy, education, healthcare, and employment. “If we ask an ordinary citizen today what they want, I believe they will say, ‘We want peace; we want safe roads.’.”

SEE PAGE 2 COL 1