Apparently contradicting Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday said time will say whether their party's decision to join parliament was right or wrong.
"Our MPs joined parliament. We'll now wait to see how much they can exercise their right in parliament, how much scope they are given to speak up and how much the ruling party tolerate them," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader further said, "It's now meaningless and illogical to say whether our decision is wrong or right since we've gone to parliament. There could have different point of views, and all decisions can't be accepted by all in the same manner. But time will say whether our decision is wrong or right."
Nagorik Odhikar Andolon Forum arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) demanding the release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail, reports UNB.
Earlier at a programme on Sunday, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said their party's previous decision of not joining parliament soon after the December-30 election was wrong.
On April 29, four BNP MPs-elect took oath as members of the 11th parliament at the directive of party acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Another party MP was sworn in on April 27.
However, Fakhrul, who was elected MP from Bogura-6 seat, did not take oath and thus his seat fell vacant.
Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said a wrong decision is better than indecision. "A political party must take decisions, no matter whether those are wrong or right."
In politics and also in personal life, he said, some decisions need to be changed or amended for valid reasons. "We'll now move ahead with the decision our party has taken. We need to come out from the blame game. We should think about what we've done instead of finding the faults of others."
The BNP leader also urged their party leaders to do self-criticism instead of criticising each other to keep the party united. "It'll also help us strengthen the party."
He said many people hoped that Khaleda Zia would be released as BNP MPs-elect have been sworn in. "But Sheikh Hasina's remark on it manifested that her (Khaleda's) release depends on the Prime Minister's will, not the court."
Referring to the PM's recent remark in London that Tarique Rahman's mother (Khaleda) will not be able to come out of jail if he does excesses, Gayeshwar urged the apex court to issue a suo moto rule on Sheikh Hasina to explain her comment.