Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Wednesday urged opposition parties to refrain from repeated political movements that could destabilise the country, saying voters should be allowed to judge the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government’s performance after its five-year term.
Speaking as chief guest at the 2026 Barishal divisional conference of Zia Mancha at the Barishal Shilpakala Academy auditorium, Moni said the government had inherited a fragile economy and needed time to address the country’s challenges.
“If the government fails to discharge its responsibilities, the people will respond through their votes,” he said, urging political opponents to wait until the next election rather than organise frequent movements that could create instability.
The conference was held under the theme “We will work, we will build the country, Bangladesh first.”
Moni alleged that Tk30 lakh crore had been siphoned out of the country, leaving the government struggling to rebuild the economy.
He criticised opposition programmes, including long marches, saying they were obstructing the government’s recovery efforts and would not bring meaningful changes to the country’s situation.
Addressing the electricity crisis, the chief whip said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had approved a three-year tax exemption on imports of solar power equipment to help ease the shortage.
“If we can make proper use of this opportunity, it will be possible to bridge the electricity shortfall within a year,” he said.
Moni said the BNP had led the movement that brought down the previous government after enduring 17 years of repression, persecution and political adversity.
He said the present government had assumed responsibility amid severe economic difficulties and multiple challenges and was working to rebuild the country.
The government had also introduced support programmes, including Family Card and Farmers’ Card, to improve the socio-economic conditions of disadvantaged people, he added.
Recalling the contributions of former President Ziaur Rahman, Moni said he had fought on the frontline during the Liberation War and later assumed responsibility for governing the country during a period of crisis.
He also praised former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for her role in movements against autocratic rule and efforts to restore democracy.
“She endured imprisonment, persecution and other forms of repression during the 17-year anti-fascist movement,” he said.
