National Parliament Speaker Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has warned leaders and activists of the ruling party to correct their behaviour and conduct, saying the government has adopted a firm stance against crime and wrongdoing.He said previous political parties had failed to take tough action against misconduct by their own members, while the current government had set an example by taking strict measures against wrongdoing.He made the remarks as the chief guest at a reception organised by the Lalmohan upazila and municipal units of BNP and its affiliated organisations at the Lalmohan Upazila Parishad in Bhola on Tuesday. The reception was arranged to honour him following his election as chairman of the Asia-Pacific Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).“I'm telling the leaders and activists of the ruling party to reform yourselves. In the past, no political party took strict action against the misdeeds of its own members. But the current prime minister has set an example by taking tough action against wrongdoing while maintaining an uncompromising stance on law and order,” the speaker said.Referring to recent incidents, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed mentioned the case of a female lawmaker who was reportedly instructed to resign following allegations of an attempt to occupy a hospital in Dhaka. He also referred to the resignation of Ishraq Hossain, son of former Dhaka mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka.Speaking about Ishraq's anti-drug drive, the speaker said Ishraq had intended to do good work by taking action against drug users and miscreants. However, he said, it was inappropriate for a state minister to carry any weapon, whether legal or illegal, prompting the prime minister to order his resignation.Expressing concern over irregularities in relief distribution and extortion, the speaker said there had been allegations of groups creating mob situations and seizing sacks of rice in different areas.He instructed the administration and police to take a firm stance against such activities, warning that no disorder would be tolerated. He also stressed that only genuine fishermen should receive rice allocated for fishermen.Ahead of the upcoming union parishad elections, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed cautioned party leaders and activists against changing their behaviour merely to gain public support during the election period.“Many try to present themselves as saints when elections approach. But the beauty of democracy is that people's voting rights give them an opportunity to escape oppression and abuse,” he said.Claiming that extortion had declined in the area, the speaker urged local residents to remain vigilant against irregularities and report any wrongdoing directly to him.