Chief Opposition Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Saturday said it is doubtful whether the current Jatiya Sangsad will survive its full five-year term given the prevailing situation in the country.
"The parliament formed after the election held following 16 years has lost all its worth. The opposition's words carry no value in this House. The voice of the people carries no value," Nahid said while addressing a protest rally organised by the NCP in Jatrabari.
Nahid announced that a mass demonstration will be held at Shahbagh on October 30 to protest the deteriorating law and order situation, soaring commodity prices, rising fuel prices and the politicisation of state institutions.
"We will march from the Shahbagh rally to parliament and to the Prime Minister's residence. The fall of Sheikh Hasina proves that a government can be toppled when protesters reach parliament. Correct yourselves before you are ousted," he said.
Accusing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed of running the country with "one foot at home and the other abroad", Nahid claimed, "I have heard that Tarique Rahman has not yet sold his house in London. Salahuddin Ahmed still has his house in Shillong. They have made preparations to flee the country."
Demanding the home minister's resignation, he said, "We do not want to see law and order deteriorate, and as a first step, the home minister must resign. Law and order can never be restored while he remains in charge."
The NCP leader also called for the resignation of the energy minister, taking responsibility for failures in the energy sector, and for the formation of a constitution reform council.
"The drama and farce being staged in the name of the constitutional reform committee must stop. The people have thrown this committee into the dustbin," he said.
Speaking about the upcoming local government elections, Nahid criticised the BNP's decision to name the administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation as its mayoral candidate.
"The illegitimate administrator appointed to Dhaka South has been declared a mayoral candidate by the BNP. What kind of democracy is this? Why should an administrator contest the election?" he asked.
He demanded that none of the administrators appointed to district councils and city corporations be allowed to contest local government polls.
He also called on the state minister for local government to withdraw and apologise for his remarks on the mayoral election.
Alleging widespread politicisation across the country, Nahid said BNP activists have been appointed as fertiliser dealers in various districts despite having no basic knowledge of fertiliser, leaving farmers facing continuous losses due to shortages.
NCP's Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral candidate Nasiruddin Patwary, political council members and central and metropolitan leaders were present at the programme.