Take criticism against govt to JS, not streets

BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has told Jamaat-e-Islami to take its criticism of the government to parliament rather than rely on street programmes.

At an emergency press conference at the BNP’s Nayapaltan office, Rizvi accused Jamaat of trying to establish a street presence only six months after the government took office. Referring to the party’s long march and other programmes, he said opposition parties should explain what the government is doing wrong and present constructive alternatives in parliament.

“

Instead of highlighting what this government is doing according to its promises or giving constructive criticism of its work, you have started showing your presence on the streets as an opposition party.

Rizvi said Jamaat had the right to announce political programmes, but should also have raised its allegations inside the legislature. He accused Jamaat leaders of using language outside parliament that was “not parliamentary language, not civilised language and not polite language”.

“

not parliamentary language, not civilised language and not polite language

He also criticised Jamaat’s opposition to legal action against people accused of making offensive remarks about the prime minister and his family. “You can criticise. We have repeatedly said that you can even strongly criticise. But you are encouraging those who are making personally abusive, offensive and obscene remarks,” he said.

Rizvi said Jamaat should have offered alternative proposals in parliament on the country’s gas and energy crisis instead of taking to the streets. Responding to the Jamaat ameer’s claim that the government had failed to run the country, he said the government still had five years ahead and urged critics to ask people about its performance.

“

You can criticise. We have repeatedly said that you can even strongly criticise. But you are encouraging those who are making personally abusive, offensive and obscene remarks.