Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said women MPs elected to reserved seats have the same right to take part in development activities as directly elected lawmakers, explaining why ruling party women MPs have been assigned responsibilities in constituencies represented by opposition members.

He made the remarks while replying to a supplementary question from Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem (Dhaka-14) during the Prime Minister’s question-answer session in Parliament.

The lawmaker questioned the decision to assign ruling party women MPs elected from reserved seats to constituencies represented by opposition MPs.

In response, the Prime Minister said women MPs elected to reserved seats do not have their own specific constituencies under the Constitution or the law, unlike directly elected lawmakers.

“A few days ago, the women MPs were elected. They do not have any specific constituencies under the Constitution or the law. Naturally, based on our political and organisational structure, we have assigned certain areas to them so that they have places where they can carry out their responsibilities,” he said.

Tarique said every elected MP has the right to contribute to the development of the people they represent.

“As a public representative, you have every right to decide how you want to work for the development of your constituency. In the same way, since Parliament has elected these women leaders as MPs, they also have the right to work for the people and development of the areas assigned to them,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government is following the existing rules and practices regarding the allocation of responsibilities to women lawmakers elected from reserved seats.

Addressing the MP who raised the issue, Tarique told the lawmaker that he could inform him if there is any development-related matter in his constituency where his cooperation is needed.“Let me know -- I will try to help directly,” he said.