Discussions over who will become the speaker of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad are expected to conclude soon, as the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has convened a meeting of its parliamentary party to finalize candidates for speaker, deputy speaker and deputy leader of the house ahead of the first session of parliament.
The meeting began at 11:30am on Wednesday at the government party’s parliamentary meeting room at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, chaired by Prime Minister and leader of the house Tarique Rahman.
Abdul Moyeen Khan, a BNP standing committee member whose name has been discussed as a possible candidate for speaker, declined to comment.
However, his personal assistant Bahauddin Bhuiya Milton told: “We are waiting. Everything will be officially known shortly.”
Chief Whip Nurul Islam said the meeting was part of preparations for the first session of parliament scheduled for Thursday.
The first session of the 13th parliament will begin at 11am on Thursday, when the speaker and deputy speaker are expected to be elected. As per tradition, President Mohammed Shahabuddin will deliver the presidential address at the session.
The parliamentary party meeting is being conducted by the chief whip. BNP Secretary General and minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is seated on the stage beside the prime minister.
BNP lawmaker and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said ordinances issued during the interim government period will be placed before parliament during the first session. A condolence motion will also be presented.
BNP formed the government after securing a two-thirds majority in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12.
Following the swearing-in of the newly elected MPs on February 17, the BNP parliamentary party unanimously elected Tarique Rahman as leader of the house at its first meeting. Later that afternoon, he took oath as prime minister.
FP/A
Jamaat to back just causes, resist injustice: Ameer
Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees dead, missing in shipwrecks in 2025: UN
Bellal Bin Quashem rejoins Islamic Foundation as Public Relations Officer
Only state-owned refinery 'shuts down'
First in Bangladesh: One Tap for Help— ‘Survivor’s Path’ SOS App
Nationwide primary scholarship exam begins today
