Leader of the Opposition GM Quader on Tuesday said that he has doubts about how the 12th Parliament will be able to perform its duties perfectly.
He said 75 percent of the seats in this parliament belong to the ruling party, while the independent MPs - mostly linked to Awami League - comprises 21 percent. The opposition accounts for only 3-4 percent of the seats and so "It will be tough to find the whole nation reflected in this parliament. This parliament will not be able to perform its duties perfectly," he feared.
The opposition leader made the comments this while participating in a discussion to thank Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the newly elected speaker of the House. GM Quader described his experience as a Member of Parliament since 1996 and expressed hope that the speaker would play a neutral role in conducting the businesses of the House.
On the question of the speakers responsibility, he said that even though she was a speaker with party loyalty, she tried to play her role impartially. "I expect you to maintain that impartiality," he said.
Referring to the Treasury bench on the right side of the speaker and the seats of the Opposition party on the left side, GM Quader said they wanted to see the both sides having equal numbers.
He said that one is the government party, the other is the Opposition.
Referring to the results of the January 7 national election, the leader of the opposition said that the national parliament is a meeting place for all parties. —UNB
