The government will carry out development work equally in the constituencies of opposition members of parliament as well as those of ruling party members, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told parliament on Wednesday.
Speaking during the question-answer session on the fourth day of the budget session, the prime minister also said the government is open to constructive criticism.
“The current government believes in balanced development of the country,” he said while responding to a supplementary question from Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem.
Regarding women members from reserved seats, the prime minister said that while directly elected MPs have specific constituencies, women MPs do not have designated constituencies under the constitution or law. However, certain areas have been allocated for them to work based on party positions.
“Just as directly elected representatives have the right to work for their areas, women MPs also have that right,” he said, adding that he is ready to provide direct assistance if needed.
Responding to a question from MP Anisur Rahman, the prime minister highlighted the government’s cooperative stance toward the opposition.
He recalled a recent meeting chaired by the Speaker where the Leader of the Opposition mentioned that many opposition MPs had not received pre-Eid assistance from LGED.
“As soon as I left that meeting, I immediately instructed both the LGED minister and state minister to take swift action if any opposition MP had not received it,” Tareq Rahman said.
“Just as ruling party MPs will develop their areas, opposition members will have the full cooperation of the government for their areas as well. We will try to work equally,” he added.
When MP Anisur Rahman asked about stopping propaganda against the ruling party, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed suggested waiting longer, saying, “Let us wait and see.”
The prime minister then said, “This government is elected by the people, believes in democracy, and is accountable to the people. Therefore, if there is any constructive criticism, we will certainly accept it and take steps accordingly.”
