Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho in parliament today said the opposition had declared that people must be “freed from the Zia family”.

Speaking after the Maghrib prayer break during the discussion on the president’s speech, Partho criticised threats from the opposition to overthrow the government.

"They (opponents) say that it took 16 years to remove the Awami League; removing the BNP wouldn't even take 16 days," said Partho. Arguing against that, he added that the Zia family represents democracy and independence in Bangladesh.

He also said that despite attempts to “free” people from the Zia family for 16 years, Sheikh Hasina had to flee by helicopter.

Opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman responded, saying, “Everyone loves me so much, that’s why they drag me into everything.”

He challenged Partho’s claim, insisting he never made such remarks and asked him to clarify when, where, and how he supposedly said it.

Partho later clarified that the statement was made by a leader from the National Citizen Party (NCP), not Shafiqur. He said it was a misunderstanding and not an attempt to falsely accuse anyone.