Dhaka: The newly-elected BNP lawmakers, including its sulking chief Khaleda Zia, today said that they would take oath and attend the first day's proceedings of the ninth parliament "for the sake of democracy".

"We have decided to take oath at the beginning of the first session of the new parliament," senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury told reporters after a two-hour meeting of the parliamentary party chaired by former prime minister Zia last night.

"We will join the first session of the parliament for the sake of democracy, the country s interest and to continue the democratic process," Chowdhury said.

The Daily Star newspaper, quoting party sources, said BNP lawmakers-elect might attend the first day's proceedings of the ninth parliament soon after the new Speaker was elected.

"The government must create the necessary environment for the Opposition s proper role in the parliament," he said adding, "we hope that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will continue to express the same kind of tolerance that she did in her post-election media conference".
Source : PTI