Deputy Speaker Adv Fazle Rabbi Mia on Tuesday sought support from both the treasury and opposition benches to have constructive discussions on important national issues and resolve any crisis through joint efforts. Sincere participation of the treasury and opposition benches in parliament would help reach consensus on any important national issue, he said and sought active role from the Members of Parliament (MPs) to that end. Adv Fazle Rabbi, elected MP from Gaibandha-5 for six consecutive terms, made the remarks while starting his journey as Deputy Speaker of the 10th parliament. Mentioning that Bangladesh has so many national problems, the Deputy Speaker hoped that the problems would be resolved through discussion. “I firmly believe that your (MPs) cooperation in this regard will play a supportive role.” Taking charge of the House after Magrib prayer, he said he would try his best to make the House effective fulfilling the expectations of the people. Fazle Rabbi Mia paid respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the four national leaders and the language movement heroes, and expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for being elected as the Deputy Speaker. Rising on a point of order, opposition MP Kazi Firoz Rashid (Dhaka-6), however, questioned the neutrality of the Deputy Speaker. The Jatiya Party lawmaker said he listened to the speech of the Deputy Speaker and he did not feel there was any sign of neutrality in the speech. “The entire country is overwhelmed by so many sycophants, but it needs to be made sure that Parliament also does not turn into a place for flatterers,” he said. In response, the Deputy Speaker assured that the House will be run neutrally. – UNB
