The Opposition has violated the Constitution by not participating in the thanks-giving motion on address of the President in Jatiya Sangsad.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim said this while taking part in the discussion at Jatiya Sangsad yesterday, reports BSS.

That the opposition is staying away from the parliament is a clear manifestation of their disregard towards the institution of President and an embarrassment to the nation as well, he said.

The Minister described the address of President in Jatiya Sangsad as a realistic document of the government's development programmes carried out since 1996.

Speaking about the politics of opposition, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim said they were creating disorder in the country through bombing, hartal and anarchy to grab power in an unconstitutional way.

He also said that the opposition have been placing different kinds of demands including resignation of the government as well as the Chief Election Commissioner, which was not only irrational but also undemocratic in nature.

"Election is the only way to change a government," he said adding that there is no other alternative.

Sheikh Selim said they are now demanding release of their workers who were arrested on specific charges.

"What kind of demand is this that an opposition worker cannot be arrested even if he is involved in a crime," he asked saying, "law is equal for all and none is above law."

Dispelling another demand of the Opposition, he said Jatiya Sangsad election would be held under a caretaker government as per the constitutional provision and the local government elections would be held under an elected government.

He said that the present government would remain in power for the entire tenure of five years as has been given mandate by the people and there was no question of its stepping down in the face of any pressure beyond the constitutional provision.

Referring to the so-called anti-government movement he said the people of this country had brought down the Ayub regime, Yahya regime, Ershad regime and Khaleda regime because of their anti people roles.

"The present government is a government for the people, by the people and of the people. So, no question arises to dislodge it from power through such a movement," he told the House.