Government Treating Opposition Worse Than Awami League Did: Taher

Opposition Deputy Leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has accused the government of treating the opposition worse than the Awami League did, alleging that opposition lawmakers are being denied development allocations.

“BNP is now becoming the champion of discrimination, even though the movement was launched against discrimination,” Taher said.

He made the remarks while briefing reporters after the opposition staged a walkout on Thursday (August 27), the first day of the third session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.

The senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader also highlighted several issues facing the country, including fertilizer shortages, power shortages and a deteriorating law and order situation. He said the opposition had expected these public hardships to be discussed in parliament, but accused the home minister of making dismissive remarks about the opposition.

Taher also criticised the government over the referendum, saying that everyone, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, had initially supported holding one. He accused the BNP of breaking its commitment to the people.

He further alleged that the “weak and spineless” interim government had held the referendum and parliamentary election simultaneously under pressure from the BNP, and said the opposition walked out of parliament in protest against what he called a betrayal of the people.

Earlier, tensions erupted in parliament over remarks made by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. Opposition lawmakers strongly protested, accusing him of making disparaging comments about them.

The protest and heated exchanges caused a temporary disruption in parliamentary proceedings. Although the home minister later said he would withdraw his remarks following the opposition’s objections, tensions did not immediately subside.