Dhaka: The BNP Parliamentary Party (BPP) convened on Wednesday to decide its nominees for the roles of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in anticipation of the inaugural session of the 13th Parliament. The meeting was held in the ruling party’s parliamentary party room on the ninth floor of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, as stated by Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman led the meeting, as confirmed by Chief Whip Nurul Islam. He informed reporters that the meeting was part of the preparations for the first session of parliament, which is scheduled to commence at 11 am on Thursday. The agenda for the day includes the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, alongside a presidential address by President Mohammad Shahabuddin.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that several ordinances issued during the interim government’s tenure will be presented before parliament during the session. Additionally, a condolence motion is also set to be introduced.
Following the oath-taking of the newly elected MPs on February 17, the BNP parliamentary party unanimously elected party chairman Tarique Rahman as the Leader of the House, who subsequently took oath as Prime Minister the same day. In the 300-seat parliament, BNP secured 209 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami won 68, Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) captured six, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis obtained two seats. Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Gonosamhati Andolon, and Khelafat Majlis each won one seat, while seven seats went to independent candidates. Results in two constituencies remain suspended, and the election in one seat was cancelled due to the death of a candidate.
Meanwhile, the parliament secretariat completed all necessary arrangements for Thursday’s opening session. Preparations include setting up the parliament chamber and the offices of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of the House, and Leader of the Opposition. Renovations were carried out to restore the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, which suffered damage during a student-led uprising on August 5, 2024, that resulted in the previous government’s downfall.