Jatiya Party to be opposition in parliament

The Jatiya Party will be the parliamentary opposition in the 12th national parliament, according to Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, reports bdnews24.com.

He made the announcement at a press conference at the Awami League President's political office in Dhanmondi on Monday afternoon.

Asked who will finally take on the role of the parliamentary opposition, Quader said, "Who do you think should be the opposition?"

When a journalist answered that it should be the second-largest party in parliament, Quader responded, "Then assume that's who it's going to be."

Questioned whether the situation would lead to intra-party conflict in the Awami League, Quader said, "They [Jatiya Party] are a political party. Why would it turn into Awami League versus Awami League?"

"They are the Jatiya Party, not the Awami League. The independent candidates are independent. And if you consider parties, then the Jatiya Party is the opposition party."

He said the government and the opposition party must remain in favour of the pro-liberation forces. The parties which are against the country's independence actually do not believe in the independence, he added.