Sangsad Bhaban, June 18 -- Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday firmly rejected claims that the current Jatiya Sangsad is a "Parliament of loan defaulters," saying no sitting lawmaker can be classified as a loan defaulter as all MPs contested the 13th parliamentary election after meeting the legal eligibility requirements.

"Those who are here, none of them is a loan defaulter," he said while participating in a heated debate over whether remarks made by an independent lawmaker describing Parliament as a "Parliament of loan defaulters" should be expunged from the official record.

The minister said everyone should show due respect to all members of this august House.

According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and othe...