Parliament: The parliament members from both treasury and opposition benches on Monday strongly protested the recent remark of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), what it said, the parliament is a staged puppet show.

They also demanded to ensure more accountability of TIB's all activities and also bring the TIB under the legal procedure as per the Constitution.

Speaking on a point of order, the MPs also called upon TIB to seek unconditional apology before the parliament as it has tarnished the reputation of the legislature by showing unprecedented audacity by passing anti-constitutional remarks.

Leader of the Opposition in parliament Begum Rawshan Ershad, lawmakers Tofail Ahmed, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Suranjit Sengupta and Abul Kalam Azad of Awami League, Kazi Feroz Rashid of Jatiya party, Mainuddin Khan Badal of Jatiya Samjtantrik Dal (JSD) and independent lawmaker Rustom Ali Farazi spoke on the point order while Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was in the chair.

Expressing her grave resentment over TIB's recent remarks ‘a fallen opposition’, the opposition leader Begum Rawshan Ershad said, ‘The TIB disgraced the whole nation by publishing a farcical report on Jatiya Sangsad.’

She also questioned the legality of such comment on parliament activities and demanded of an investigation on the overall activities of TIB.

Treasury bench member Tofail Ahmed bitterly criticized the TIB activities saying, ‘It's out of TIB's jurisdiction to pass any comment on the Jatiya Sangsad.’

He, also the commerce minister, demanded summoning TIB before the Privilege Committee within the shortest possible time.

Tofail also demanded to ensure more accountability in their works and must watch over the financial support from where it gets.

‘They are doing all these only to deter the development activities of the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,’ he mentioned.

Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury said, ‘TIB has crossed its limit through such an audacity by calling this parliament a stage of puppet show.’

She advised TIB to stop doing fun centering the parliament, state system and its constitution and also show due respect to the mass people's opinion.

Another treasury bench member Suranjit Sengupta said TIB should seek apology before the parliament for its indecent remarks that hurt the lawmakers within three days.

‘Is the TIB out of the existing law of the country? Is it above the government, constitution and state? ‘the senior parliamentarian questioned.