At a roundtable organized by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN) at the National Press Club on Wednesday, civil society representatives warned that creating ‘inspection rooms’ for Members of Parliament (MPs) in upazila parishad buildings would destroy the local government system. They said such a move would place local governance entirely under MPs’ control and revive the dominance of ‘MP rule’ at the local level. SUJAN Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar described the government circular authorizing these rooms as a dangerous decision that could even lead to the abolition of upazila parishads, similar to 1991.

Speakers emphasized the need for prompt local elections, legal reforms, and an end to political interference to make local government effective. They criticized the government for appointing party administrators in city corporations and district councils instead of holding elections, and for failing to implement reform commission recommendations. They argued that strong local government ensures decentralization, accountability, and social justice.

Participants urged the government to withdraw the circular and reconsider recent decisions that they believe undermine local empowerment and democratic decentralization.