“It seems we have gone straight back to the Awami League era”: Rumeen Farhana

Independent MP Rumeen Farhana on Wednesday criticised the BNP government over a range of issues, including gas and electricity shortages, fertiliser supply, corruption and loan defaults, triggering heated protests from BNP lawmakers in Parliament.

Speaking during the parliamentary session, Rumeen said every government had its own “character” and argued that a change in government did not necessarily mean an end to longstanding governance failures.

“Every government has a certain character. It cannot be that BNP comes to power and there will be no gas or electricity crisis,” she said.

“It cannot be that BNP comes to power and there will be no fertiliser crisis, or that poor farmers will not loot fertiliser from warehouses because of the shortage,” she added.

She went on to question whether BNP’s return to power would bring an end to corruption.

“It cannot be that BNP comes to power and Bangladesh does not become the champion of corruption,” Rumeen said.

Citing recent reports on the country’s financial sector, she also said, “It cannot be that BNP comes to power and Bangladesh does not become the world champion in loan defaults for the first time.”

The remarks immediately drew protests from BNP lawmakers, who began chanting from their seats.

Amid the uproar, Rumeen said, “Such an intolerant Parliament, it seems as though we have gone straight back to the Awami League era.”

The Deputy Speaker intervened and called on lawmakers to maintain order. However, BNP lawmakers continued their protests as Rumeen pressed on with her remarks.

At one point, the Speaker switched off Rumeen’s microphone and asked her to take her seat as the disruption continued in the chamber.

Rumeen also alleged that a large number of MPs were loan defaulters and criticised Section 18(a) of the Bank Resolution Act, 2026, during her speech.