Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a meeting with Leader of the Opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman.
Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said the leaders discussed ways to make parliamentary sessions more vibrant, as well as issues including the July charter, the 133 ordinance, a referendum, and constitutional reforms through a constituent assembly.
The meeting took place on Monday afternoon at the prime minister’s office in the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat, where the two leaders spoke for around 20 minutes.
The prime minister welcomed the opposition leader at the start of the meeting. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present during the discussion.
After the meeting, the prime minister walked a short distance with the opposition leader as he left the office. Those present praised the gesture as a mark of courtesy and political etiquette.
Earlier, at around 12pm, both leaders stood side by side to offer the funeral prayer of Dilar Hafez, wife of Speaker Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, at the south plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad.
After the prayer, the two leaders walked together towards the parliament building. At that time, the opposition leader expressed his interest in speaking with the prime minister.
The prime minister immediately invited him to his office at the parliament secretariat.
Atikur added that the prime minister consistently shows due respect and courtesy to all.
“People have appreciated such gestures at various events before the national election and after BNP assumed power. Escorting the opposition leader reflected the prime minister’s usual courtesy” he said.
