Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday asked Jamaat-e-Islami to apologise to the nation for its role during the 1971 Liberation War, saying such a step would have helped remove longstanding political divisions.

Speaking in Parliament during the budget discussion, the minister said some of the government's "friends" were trying to ignore and provoke them at a time when such an approach was not appropriate.

"Our friends are trying to ignore us in different ways. They are also trying to provoke us in various ways. I don't think this is the right time. You should also look back at yourselves," he said.

Referring to Jamaat's role during the Liberation War, Fakhrul said the party had never sought forgiveness for its actions in 1971.

"You never apologised for your role in 1971. You should have apologised before the nation. Had you done so, many of today's problems would not have existed," he said.

The minister also recalled that former Jamaat chief Ghulam Azam had once maintained that the party had made no mistake during the Liberation War.

"Even now there is time for you to reconsider. You should clearly state your position on Bangladesh and let us and the people of Bangladesh know. I do not want to go any further. You never speak clearly about 1971," he added.

When opposition lawmakers interrupted him, Fakhrul reiterated that Jamaat had never clearly acknowledged its role in the Liberation War.

"I have never heard it. No one has heard it. If you acknowledge it, it will become much easier for you to conduct politics," he said.

Commenting on the National Citizen Party (NCP), the minister criticised its alliance with a party that, he claimed, did not believe in Bangladesh's independence.

"They have formed an alliance with a party that did not believe in Bangladesh's independence. I hope they will clarify their political position and move forward," he said.

Describing NCP leaders as young politicians with considerable potential, Fakhrul said he wanted them to succeed in politics.

"We want them to do well. They should not carry the stigma of being associated with those who continue to deny Bangladesh's very existence," he added.