A tense exchange unfolded in Parliament on Thursday after Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman and Member of Parliament Andaleeve Rahman criticised reported demands by a Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker for washing machines, microwave ovens and curtains for MPs living in government flats.
The issue was raised on a point of order ahead of the budget discussion. Andaleeve Rahman said Parliament had been restored after a long struggle and stressed the need to protect its dignity and standards.
He also referred to what he described as a decline in parliamentary practice during previous Awami League governments, saying the institution’s democratic character had been undermined and its prestige weakened.
Citing media reports, he said Jamaat MP Md Mizanur Rahman had raised demands for household appliances and furnishings for lawmakers’ residences. He said the matter had caused embarrassment for both him and Parliament.
“We are not only Members of Parliament; we are ambassadors of Parliament. Whenever we go outside, we represent this House,” he said.
He argued that Parliament should focus on public issues rather than discussions over MPs’ residential facilities. He also pointed to what he called a contradiction between lawmakers rejecting privileges such as plots and vehicles while seeking household equipment for official flats.
In a sarcastic remark that drew attention in the House, Andaleeve Rahman said he would personally provide a microwave oven or curtains if the Jamaat MP required them. He added that he would ask the government to arrange a washing machine and curtains so the MP’s household could be “properly settled”.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad intervened to prevent the discussion from escalating. He said budget debates allow members to raise a wide range of issues and noted that the Jamaat lawmaker had highlighted difficulties faced by MPs living in government accommodation.
“I think it would have been better had he not raised the matter in the House,” the Speaker said, adding that no serious offence had been committed.
He said Parliament’s House Committee was responsible for addressing accommodation-related matters and suggested the issue should have been raised there instead. He also emphasised that the request was made on behalf of all MPs living in government flats, not an individual member.
The Speaker urged members not to prolong the matter, warning that continued debate could create an unfavourable public impression. He also criticised Andaleeve Rahman’s offer to personally provide the items, saying such remarks were unnecessary.
Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman later said the issue should have been taken to the House Committee and not raised in the Chamber. However, he questioned the tone of Andaleeve Rahman’s intervention, saying no one had asked him to make personal offers.
He called for restraint among lawmakers to avoid undermining mutual respect.
Responding again, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said he understood the comments were intended as an offer of help but reiterated that they were unnecessary and urged members to move on from the issue.
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