BNP Parliamentary Party authorises Tarique to choose Speaker, Dy Speaker

The BNP Parliamentary Party on Wednesday authorised Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman to decide the candidates for the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.

“We have entrusted the Leader of the House with the responsibility of selecting the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. He will make the decision, and we will know it tomorrow,” Chief Whip Nurul Islam told reporters.

He made the remarks after a meeting of the BNP parliamentary party held at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am on Thursday, when the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are expected to be elected.

Nurul Islam said Thursday’s sitting will begin with the Speaker’s chair vacant and will open with a recitation from the Holy Quran.

After that, the Leader of the House will propose the name of a senior member of parliament to preside over the session temporarily. The proposal will be seconded by another MP, after which the nominated member will conduct the proceedings until the Speaker is elected.

The Chief Whip also said 133 ordinances issued during the tenure of the interim government will be placed before parliament during the sitting.

A special parliamentary committee will be formed to examine the ordinances, he said, adding that the committee will include members from both the treasury bench and the opposition.

Responding to a question, Nurul Islam said the Prime Minister had shown “great generosity” by offering the post of Deputy Speaker to the opposition.

“But we have not received any positive response from them so far. If we do, necessary steps will be taken accordingly,” he said.

He added that the ruling party wants the 13th parliament to function as an effective and vibrant forum, where national issues can be addressed through discussion and debate.