Jamaat seeks ‘package’, not partial deputy speaker position

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has not yet made a clear decision on whether to accept the deputy speaker position ahead of the first session of the 13th parliament.

After a meeting of opposition members of parliament, Jamaat’s ameer and opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman told journalists on Wednesday that they do not want the deputy speaker position in isolation.

“We do not want a fragmented deputy speaker position. We want a package where everything is implemented together,” he said.

Jamaat demands that the opposition’s entitlements be fully implemented in accordance with the reforms outlined in the July Charter.

He added that the government has contacted them and they appreciate it, but they will not decide on accepting the deputy speaker post unless all provisions are implemented exactly as agreed.

Shafiqur Rahman also said the opposition will not oppose everything indiscriminately, nor will it cooperate unknowingly. “If any government step harms the country, we will carry out our responsibilities firmly,” he said.

However, political analysts view this stance as negative, suggesting that such a demand for a “package” by the opposition could complicate parliamentary proceedings.