Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman has thanked the army for foiling the recent plot by some serving and retired army officials to topple the government.
"I extend my sincere thanks to our patriotic army for this action. At the same time, I urge all to remain vigilant and alert against any such heinous attempt,” he said in the 12th parliament session yesterday.
"Full-fledged democracy has been established in the country after many sacrifices. Any evil attempt to hinder that democratic process cannot be desirable for any of us.” said the president.
Zillur also called upon opposition lawmakers, who were absent in the House yesterday, to place all their proposals, recommendations and complaints in the Jatiya Sangsad.
"Democracy will be enriched in that way."
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had repeatedly urged the opposition lawmakers to discharge their responsibilities as people's representatives by joining the Jatiya Sangsad.
"Opinion of the opposition was sought in all instances, including the amendment to the constitution, both inside and outside the House,” he said.
"But it is very frustrating that the opposition is not showing a positive attitude about taking part in parliamentary deliberations. Democracy is a dynamic process. And the discharge of responsibilities reposed by the people is more important than an indulgence in political conflicts.”
The president strongly criticised the rule of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-Jamaat alliance and the last caretaker government.
He said the present government had to face many problems after it came to power against the backdrop of disorder in socio-economic and political life.
The misrule and corruption of the post-2001 governments pushed the economy to the verge of collapse, and had shaken democratic institutions and governance. Transparency and accountability in government activities were absent, and the country's politics was in chaos, said Zillur.
After coming to power, the government had been making tireless efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, and attain economic prosperity.
In the synopsis of his 132-page speech, the president portrayed a rosy picture of Bangladesh, and gave out details of the successes of the present government.
He said the characteristics of a true democratic government are transparency, accountability, openness, tolerance and faith in human rights and the rule of law and a relentless pursuit of sustainable socio-economic growth.
"Considering these criteria, the government's role in the past three years has been undoubtedly praiseworthy and positive,” said the president.
Lawmakers of the Treasury Bench welcomed his speech by thumping desks. A 40-hour discussion on a thanks giving motion on the speech will begin in the House on Sunday.
