Opposition should make constructive criticism of govt: Rizvi

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday said the opposition would criticise the government, but such criticism should be constructive.

“The opposition can make different criticisms. But the criticism should be constructive. If the government makes mistakes and those are pointed out, democracy becomes stronger and the state becomes more effective and efficient,” he said.

He made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting preparations for the BNP’s views-exchange meeting, scheduled to be held on Saturday at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital.

The meeting will be attended by presidents and general secretaries of district and metropolitan units of BNP and its three associate bodies -- Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi said, “Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will attend the programme as chief guest. The party’s secretary general and other senior leaders will also be present.”

Leaders from districts across the country will speak at the event, presenting their views on organisational matters and different government activities.

He said ministers concerned would also present analyses of effective measures taken by the government over the past two to three months and those now in the process of implementation.

“Our family card, farmer card and canal excavation are among many good programmes,” Rizvi said.

Referring to criticism and movements against the government, he said the country had fought for democracy for 16 years, with many lives lost, including children, students, teachers and workers.

“In a democracy, the government will do its work and the opposition will criticise it. That is the essence of democracy and that is how it should be,” he said.

Rizvi said if programmes were taken with the intention of putting the government in trouble and falsehoods were spread deliberately, that would amount to a conspiracy.

He alleged that Sheikh Hasina had made many false statements both while in power and outside it.

“If politics follows that path, then it falls within the realm of conspiracy,” he said.

Rizvi said democracy would be strengthened if the opposition remained constructive.

“If people think the opposition’s words are positive, they will evaluate them accordingly. The people are the final judge. In the next election, they will decide whether the government has done the right thing,” he said.

Among others present were Mahfuz Kabir Mukta, president of the Nationalist Publicity Team, and Dr Touhidur Rahman Awal, vice-president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.