The Role of Opposition in Democracy

The role of the opposition is vital to the healthy growth of democracy and in the larger public interest. The role of opposition in parliament is a necessary and indispensable component (অবিচ্ছেদ্য  অংশ) of democracy. Democracy is an inclusive process in which all citizens, men and women representing all political and social forces in the country. The traditional role of the opposition can be identified under three components: the voice of the voiceless (নির্বাকের বাক); an alternative to the ruling government; and official opposition. A fourth role has been evolved as a critical partner in nation-building (জাতি গঠন)।

The primary role of the opposition is to offer a credible (বিশ্বাসযোগ্য) alternative to the majority in power. Moreover, by overseeing and criticizing the action of the executive, it works to ensure transparency (স্বচ্ছতা), integrity (সততা) and efficiency in the conduct of public affairs and to prevent abuses by the authorities and individuals. It also works in scrutinizing the operations of the executive, that is, exercising the oversight of the implementation of the law from the angle of performance and accountability (জবাবদিহীতা) and, especially, the use of the finances granted to the executive for its work.

The role of the opposition is not to rule. But, the opposition must have the right to operate in a free and democratic atmosphere. The opposition also has access to state media equally. All state-owned media (রাষ্টয়ত্ব মাধ্যম) should afford fair opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinions (মতভেদ) to both the government and the opposition. The opposition shall be entitled to criticize the functioning of the courts or the executive. It shall be entitled to inquire about presumed human rights violations and to call for remedial action (প্রতিকারক উপায়)

The opposition has the responsibility to be fair in the criticism of government policies. The opposition also has the responsibility to uphold and defend the sovereignty , unity and the national integrity of the country. It should therefore not engage in activities that could undermine (ভিত্তি দুর্বল করা) the unity and stability of the state. A basic obligation of the opposition is to conduct its functions within the framework of the law, including the national constitution, civil and criminal law and parliamentary rules of procedure. Opposition parties are obliged to respect the law, like everybody else. Subject to the modifications of parliamentary immunity, the opposition may be held accountable for any unlawful activity , like any other organization and individual. The duties of the opposition are defined by political and behavioural rules, not by constitutional norms or parliamentary texts. Therefore, the duties of opposition do not require codification.
The political system in Bangladesh is dominated by two heritage parties. The robust democratic countries are implied player in the game of democracy in Bangladesh. It's true that the opposition party in Bangladesh has a very little role to play in governance. We know that opposition parties are the unpaid but dedicated principal researchers for the government in power. Moreover, rulling parties typically use official resources to stifle opposition parties and perpetuate  themselves in power. Therefore, opposition parties, for their part are substantially weak in Bangladesh.
In fine, it can be said that democracy is the moderate form of idealogy to govern a country where the opposition party plays a very important role to guide the rulling government.