United News of Bangladesh

Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday said his party remains firm in its demand for the formation of a constitutional reform council in line with the verdict of referendum, instead of giving representatives to a special parliamentary committee on constitutional amendment accepting a proposal from the ruling party.  "The people gave a mandate for reform, not merely for amendment (to Constitution). So, we cannot agree to the proposal (given by the ruling party to join) for the special committee," he said, while addressing a post-budget view-exchange meeting with journalists at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The opposition leader said the referendum had given a clear public mandate for constitutional reform, but the government's decision to pursue constitutional amendments through a special parliamentary committee contradicts that mandate. He said a political crisis has been created in the country as the verdict of the referendum has not been implemented. Shafiqur Rahman, however, said they remain open to dialogue with the government on the issue as it needs to reach a political solution through talks in the parliamentary democracy. Explaining his party's street programmes, he said the opposition had been compelled to take to the streets with programmes after failing to secure sufficient discussion in Parliament on this issue. “It needs permission from the Speaker to discuss the issue in Parliament, but does not require such permission in the parliament of the people (streets),” the Jamaat chief said. He said as they do not get enough scope to discuss the issue in Parliament, they decided to go to the people's parliament. “We’ve taken the side of the people. We want the public verdict to be implemented,” he said. Turning to the 2026-27 national budget, the opposition leader said the government had accepted several proposals put forward by the opposition, including withdrawing the provision to legalise undisclosed money and scrapping the proposed tax on small grocery shops and marginal businesses. He also demanded shifting the fiscal year from July-June to January-December to align with the calendar year. Arguing for the change, Shafiqur Rahman said the existing fiscal calendar encourages excessive spending during the final three months of the year, leading to waste, corruption and poor implementation. He also called for ensuring that the impact of reduced taxes on 61 essential commodities is reflected in market prices, saying otherwise the benefits will be captured by business syndicates rather than consumers. The Jamaat chief criticised the absence of budget allocations for the July Museum and July Foundation, saying the July movement should be preserved as part of the nation's history.

Leader of the Opposition in parliament Raushon Ershad on Saturday bemoaned that no one from the Jatiya Party inquired about her condition during her long stay at a hospital in Thailand. Speaking at a views exchange meeting with party leaders and activists at a hotel in the city, she also said Jatiya Party has been in a mess following the death of its founder and her husband HM Ershad. “I had been under treatment for over long six months at a hospital in Thailand. No one from the party inquired about me. But I inquired about all,” the opposition leader said. She, however, said two, who were expelled from the party, tried to know her health condition and arranged different prayer sessions at mosques and other worship places seeking her recovery. Also read: Raushon Ershad returns home from Thailand Raushon, also the chief patron of the Jatiya Party, said Jatiya Party could have been in a different position had HM Ershad remained alive. She said it is necessary to bring back those who have been left out of the Jatiya Party or left the party at different times. “Otherwise, we will fall far behind.” Besides, the Jatiya Party leader said the new generation needs to be inducted into the party to make it as stronger as Awami League and BNP. “Or else, we won’t be able to survive in politics. ” She also said the organizational strength of the Jatiya Party will have to be enhanced with the united efforts of all its leaders and activists. Raushon said she could not hold back her tears seeing so many people there at the airport to greet her as she returned home. Earlier on June 27, Raushon returned home from Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, after nearly seven and a half months of stay there for medical treatment. She also joined the Parliament session on Thursday. Her son Rahgir Al Mahi Saad Ershad MP (Rangpur-3) his mother is now fine, but very weak. “She has problems in her legs and still can’t walk properly. It may take time for her to gain back her strength. She needs more physiotherapy,” he said. Saad said Raushon will also go to Bangkok for follow-up treatment on July 4 next. On November 5 last year, Raushon was flown to Thailand by an air ambulance as her health condition turned critical. Also read: Raushon doing well, set to return home Monday: GM Quader Earlier, Raushon Ershad, 78, underwent treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) as she fell ill seriously due to old age complications.