A heated debate broke out in parliament after National Citizen Party (NCP) MP Abdul Hannan Masud accused the prime minister of making “false” claims while criticising the opposition’s position on the proposed 2026-27 budget.

Speaking during today’s budget discussion, Hannan Masud said, “The honourable prime minister is not present today. But we are deeply disappointed when he makes false claims, such as saying the opposition is protesting because liquor or cigarette prices have increased. Such statements from the prime minister are disheartening.”

Ruling party MPs protested loudly, but Hannan continued: “When we raise issues such as loan defaults and the takeover of Islami Bank in parliament, the prime minister stands up and says, ‘You are all landlords who have never taken loans.’ In effect, such remarks encourage loan defaulters.”

The Noakhali-6 (Hatiya) MP said, “We are sitting in a parliament formed after the overthrow of fascism. Many of us endured persecution. Yet we now hear ministers using the same language of appeasement towards India that the Awami League once used. Even the home minister echoes that fascist rhetoric by saying border killings should not be described as killings. We maintain that every border killing is murder and a threat to our sovereignty.”

BNP MP Zainul Abdin Farroque objected to parts of Hannan’s remarks, demanding they be expunged.

Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said the MP should have specified which statement was false.

LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “That is not correct. The opposition member clearly accused the prime minister of making false statements.”

Opposition MPs then erupted in protest. Amid the uproar, Fakhrul continued, “Let us speak. You call us fascists, but the fascist behaviour is coming from your side. You must allow us to respond.”

He also demanded that the remark accusing the prime minister of making a “false statement” be expunged from the parliamentary record.

When Hannan tried to speak again without being given the floor, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal intervened, saying, “Mr Hannan Masud, please sit down. This is not Shahbagh Square; this is the national parliament.”

Taking the floor, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman said, “Outside issues should not be brought into the House. If we begin debating what is true and what is false, it could become embarrassing for everyone.”

The Deputy Speaker then said the matter would be reviewed and a decision would be taken after due consideration.