Sangsad Bhaban, Jan 25 (UNB) - Speaker Abdul Hamid on Wednesday viewed that the role of opposition is equally important to make parliament effective and urged BNP to return to the House.

‘’Parliament is the center to fulfill the people's demand and their expectations. If parliament keeps on functioning, democracy and democratic governing system get consolidated,” he said in his opening statement when parliament began the winter session in the afternoon.

The speaker said the essence of democracy is tolerance to others’ opinions. ‘’It is quite obvious to have differences of opinion in politics but on the question of national interest, one must give importance to other’s opinion.’’

Hamid said New Year’s expectation of people is that political parties will work together to uphold the national interest. It is his prime responsibility to conduct the proceedings of the House and members of both sides of the House are equal to him.

Recalling the journey of the present parliament elected on December 29, 2008, he said people have great expectations from the members.

In the past three years, he said, this parliament sat for 254 working days when parliament members played an important role by participating in discussions on different subjects and taking various decisions for the welfare of the nation.

He said the present parliament so far passed 153 laws for the public interest.Since this is an era of information technology, steps have been taken to transform the Jatiya Sangsad into an e- parliament, he added.

He said already countdown system has been introduced while selection of questions and notices are being made through digital system.

The Speaker hoped that the present parliament would play a pivotal role in fulfilling the aspirations of the people in cooperation with all irrespective of party affiliations in the coming days.