Prime Minister invites opposition leader for Tk 150 lunch

A different and cordial atmosphere was created in the National Parliament during the discussion on the ongoing gas and electricity crisis. After Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s simple lifestyle and low-cost lunch, the Prime Minister invited him for a Tk 150 lunch.

The issue of the Prime Minister’s thriftiness came up during the general discussion under Rule 68 titled “Taking effective measures to prevent disruption in electricity generation due to acute fuel and gas crisis, closure of industrial factories creating unemployment and severe disaster in the national economy” in the National Parliament on Monday (September 7).

While speaking, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman praised the Prime Minister’s low-cost lunch and said, “We feel encouraged when we see the Honourable Prime Minister’s lunch costs Tk 100 to 150. I like it. I myself cannot eat with so little money—I am saying this quite simply.”

Immediately after this speech a wave of laughter spread in the parliament chamber. At that time Prime Minister Tarique Rahman waved his hand and invited him to eat by gesture. At the same time Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed also announced from his seat without the microphone that the opposition leader would be fed this meal.

In reply to the invitation Shafiqur Rahman thanked and said, “Will you feed me? Many thanks. But I will not eat alone, I want to eat with 18 crore people. Still, thanks for making this proposal.”

Praising the Prime Minister’s dress and lifestyle, Shafiqur Rahman said the Prime Minister leads an extremely simple life, which is worth following. He follows the ordinary path by avoiding a lavish or luxurious life, which is positive.

However, while praising the Prime Minister’s simple lifestyle, the opposition leader strongly criticised the behaviour of his followers. He alleged that although the party activists praise the Prime Minister’s thriftiness, they themselves lead exactly the opposite and luxurious lives. Shafiqur Rahman commented that if the Prime Minister is their ideal or “icon”, the reflection of his ideals should be there in all fields, which is not seen in reality.

Finally the opposition leader cautioned that before claiming the Prime Minister as an ideal or icon, everyone must become restrained and embrace his ideals. He reminded that the Prime Minister is also a human being, he is not above mistakes—therefore blind agreement cannot be given on all his matters.