Sangsad Bhaban, Aug 18 (UNB) - Speaker Abdul Hamid has urged the opposition to join the current session of parliament and make it a centre of reaching out for national consensus and establishing good governance.

In a statement at the opening sitting of the 10th session of the 9th parliament this (Thursday) morning, he said it is usual to have differences of opinion in politics but on the question of national interest one should give importance to another person's opinion.

The Speaker made the remarks as opposition BNP and its allies have been abstaining from parliament for a long time to press for various demands.

The Speaker said the parliament is the right place to reach out for consensus at national level. He hoped that political parties will forget the past misunderstandings and all members of parliament will actively take part in all national issues.

“If parliament becomes effective, democracy and democratic system of State become consolidated,” he said.

The Speaker reminded that alongside the government party, the opposition has also important role to play in making the parliament effective.

He said it is the opposition party that detects the faults of the government and help run the government on right track through their constructive criticisms.

Speaker Abdul Hamid hoped that the political parties would work together for national interests.