As Bangladesh’s newly-elected parliament commenced its first session, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged citizens and Members of Parliament, including those from the opposition, to collaborate in creating a self-reliant, prosperous, safe, and democratic country. Rahman emphasized the political objective of ensuring self-reliance for every family to establish a secure and democratic Bangladesh, as reported by local media outlet UNB. He highlighted the necessity for nationwide support and cooperation to achieve this goal.
During the inaugural session, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawmakers Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Barrister Kayser Kamal were elected as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the parliament. Rahman expressed the significance of the 13th National Parliament, calling for meaningful and vibrant engagement through debates among all elected Members of Parliament from various parties. He stressed the importance of constructive discussions to enhance the effectiveness of the parliament.
Rahman congratulated the newly elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker, emphasizing their role as representatives of the people of Bangladesh rather than any specific party. He assured equal treatment for all members and described them as the guardians of the Parliament. The Prime Minister underscored the commitment to making the Parliament purposeful and vibrant by encouraging reasoned debates instead of opposing for the sake of opposition.
Opposition lawmakers staged a walkout during the session in protest against Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s constitutionally mandated speech. While PM Rahman and ruling party MPs welcomed the President, opposition members remained seated, signaling their discontent. This move was viewed as a challenge to parliamentary protocol and the constitutional position of the Parliament, potentially hindering its smooth functioning.
