President-elect Abdul Hamid on Tuesday sought the cooperation of all, including the political leaders, so that he could play his due role with dignity as the country is now passing through a transitional period. “The country is passing through a transitional period …Allah knows whether I’ll be able to pass this period with dignity….I’m seeking cooperation of you all, including the seniors, so that I can perform my duty with dignity,” he said.
The President-elect was addressing a grand reception accorded to him at the LD Hall of Parliament.
Hamid sought the sincere support of all senior leaders, members of parliament and all the staff of Jatiya Sangsad to perform his responsibilities as the country’s President with self-respect by helping to overcome the present ‘tough time’ successfully.
The Jatiya Sangsad and the Parliament Secretariat organised the function to accord reception to the President-elect and just past Speaker for his achievements in achieving the coveted ‘Swadhinata Padak-2013’.
“I’ve been associated with parliament for long 42 years. It’s very painful to me to say goodbye to you all,” said the emotion-choked former Speaker, said.
Mentioning that he came from a farmer’s family of remote haor area, the country’s 20th President said, “It was beyond my imagination that I would be able to assume this (President) office from that place.”
Walking down the memory lane, Hamid said during his terms as the Speaker of Parliament he tried his level best to bring all the parliamentary activities under a system.
“It’s true I couldn’t make parliament 100 percent free from corruption, but today I can claim parliament is now 75 percent corruption free,” he said.
Hamid went on, “I was very cautious in spending the fund of parliament as it was the public money. I have been able to reduce a lot of misuses in parliamentary expenditure.”
Abdul Hamid said he increased the wages of the MPs as well as food allowances for all staff.
Some 500 apartments have been constructed which is scheduled to be completed this year, aiming to solve the accommodation problems of parliament staff, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, former President and Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League Parliamentary Party to nominate Abdul Hamid as he (Ershad) also wanted Hamid as the next President of the country.
He urged Hamid to call upon all political parties to sit for a dialogue.
“We want to find out a peaceful path through discussions,” he said.
Senior parliamentarian Tofail Ahmed said the Prime Minister selected a right person for the presidency. “He (Hamid) became the President-elect as a symbol of unity,” he said.
Minister without portfolio Suranjit Sengupta said Abdul Hamid has an excellent politics-friendly nature enabling a peaceful existence of all political parties in his constituency.
“He is an able person to assume the office of President at this time, and I hope we’ll be able to advance through constitutional path by facing the present political crisis,” he added.
Acting Speaker Shawkat Ali adorned Hamid with an Uttariya (a scarf recognising novelty) while Asaduzzamn Noor, MP read out the recitation paper at the function.
Parliament Secretariat Secretary Mahmudur Rahman and representatives of employees of different levels also spoke at the function held with acting Speaker Shawkat Ali in the chair. UNB
