Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in parliament has said the main opposition BNP is not helping her government to strengthen democracy and resolve people's problems. “They [BNP] are not offering support to strengthen the democratic process. What indication are they giving by abstaining from parliament? To whom are they extending support?” asked the leader of the House in her winding-up speech of the third session of parliament that was prorogued yesterday.

She also questioned whether the main opposition party is out to harm democracy. "I urge people to remain alert so that none can take away their democratic rights,” she said. The premier said she along with the speaker made efforts to bring the main opposition back to the House but they refrained from joining the third session. Hasina alleged that the previous BNP-led alliance government patronised militancy and criminal activities. “Militants have acquired a large arms cache. We are sincerely working to improve law and order,” she said. “Even my party activists will not be spared if they are found guilty of committing any crime,” she warned. Referring to the recent labour unrest in Gazipur, she feared that another attempt might be made to create such unrest again.

The prime minister said anti-corruption drives will continue and the government will not interfere in the activities of the Anti-Corruption Commission. She claimed that the country's overall situation has improved. Speaker Abdul Hamid hoped that lawmakers will perform their duties properly to make parliament effective. The speaker in his concluding speech said the third session, which began on September 7, had 22 sittings and passed 11 bills. Liberal Democratic Party Chief Oli Ahmed and independent lawmaker Fazlul Azim spoke on behalf of the opposition bench on the last day of the third session. They said law and order in the country has not improved and urged the government to take effective measures in this regard. “Problems will not be resolved through speeches. Realistic measures have to be taken to improve the situation,” Oli Ahmed said.

-Daily Star