'No fuel oil outside, only in parliament': Jamaat MP sparks outcry in House
The Dhaka-5 lawmaker said he was unable to obtain fuel for his vehicle even after standing in a queue on the road for two hours until 2am.
Jamaat-e-Islami MP Kamal Hossain raised a series of allegations in Parliament, ranging from fuel shortages and neglect to constitutional reforms, during yesterday's discussion on the vote of thanks to the President's speech.
The Dhaka-5 lawmaker said he was unable to obtain fuel for his vehicle even after standing in a queue on the road for two hours until 2am.
Speaking in a light-hearted tone over his inability to buy fuel, he said, "Last night, I stood on the road until 2am, yet I could not get any fuel. Oil is only available in the Parliament—so much oil is being wasted here. Fuel is already becoming impossible to find in outside."
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Gas shortage forces us to have sehri all time
MP Kamal Hossain compared the situation to Ramadan routines, saying they are "having to eat sehri all the time due to gas crisis."
He said Jatrabari has seen no development in 55 years, adding that despite gas connections, 30–40-year-old pipelines disrupt supply, forcing residents to cook and eat late at night, often around 2 am, and live on "sehri-like" meals.
Traffic congestion created for extortion collection
The opposition MP alleged that walkways and main road in the locality are being leased out, with extortion money collected causing severe traffic congestion.
He also claimed that drugs, extortionists and terrorists are major obstacles to development. Referring to past political unrest, he said protests had taken place during what he described as a "fascist period," during which people were killed. He added that even after the current government assumed office, continued resistance against extortion led to the killing of Noor-e Alam Khairul.
72 teachers are required, but there are 142 teachers
Kamal Hossain told the Speaker that while only 72 teachers are required in his constituency, there are currently 142 teachers. He questioned the imbalance, stressing that development should not be viewed through a partisan lens. "We believe development is not a party issue; development is a people's right. It is the right of the people of my area," he said.
BNP now denying referendum
The MP referred to his political past, saying he spent 853 days in jail and was imprisoned nine times for protesting injustice.
He said he opposes any return to what he called "fascism" and supports a referendum. He also argued that Bangladesh's first referendum was held on 30 May 1977 and later incorporated into the Constitution in 1978 under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, claiming the party is now contradicting its earlier position.
"If the Constitution not reformed, Sangsad will be dissolved"
Kamal Hossain said the Home Minister has termed the referendum valid, arguing that if accepted, a session of the Constitutional Reform Commission must be convened within its 180-day tenure, failing which the current parliament could face dissolution.
He added that revolutions in several countries were driven by state reform demands, noting that the "July fighters" and martyrs sacrificed for structural transformation. According to him, mere amendments to the constitution would not be sufficient, and deeper structural reforms are required to achieve meaningful change.
