Tarique Rahman to decide Speaker, Deputy Speaker candidates

Government party members of parliament have entrusted the responsibility of nominating the ruling party's candidates for the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 13th National Parliament to Leader of the Parliament and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) parliamentary party at the National Parliament House on Wednesday.

After the meeting, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni told journalists that discussions were held regarding the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and the Leader of the House will determine the nominations. Who will be appointed to these two positions will be known on Thursday.

The 13th parliamentary election was held on February 12. Newly elected MPs took oath on February 17. On that day, at a parliamentary party meeting, Tarique Rahman was unanimously elected Leader of the House; he later took oath as Prime Minister.

The first session of the 13th Parliament will convene on Thursday. President Md Sahabuddin will address the session. Elections for Speaker and Deputy Speaker will also be held on the same day.

The Chief Whip informed that as there is no outgoing Speaker or Deputy Speaker, a senior member will be temporarily elected to preside through a proposal and seconding on the first day. Following this, elections for Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be held, the Speaker will take the chair, the panel of chairpersons will be nominated, and a condolence motion will be moved and discussed.

He said the condolence motion will commemorate late stateswoman Khaleda Zia, martyrs of the July movement, and eminent personalities.

Additionally, 133 ordinances will be placed, Nurul Islam Moni informed. The Law Minister will place them, and they will be sent to special committees for scrutiny. Those deemed acceptable will be passed in parliament.

When asked whether discussions were held regarding offering the Deputy Speaker post to the opposition, the Chief Whip said no positive response has been received on this matter yet. He also informed that no decision has been made regarding the post of Deputy Leader of the House.

Although results in two seats remain suspended and the election in one seat has been cancelled in the 300-seat parliament, BNP has formed the government by winning 209 of the remaining 297 seats. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is sitting as the opposition with 68 seats. Several other parties and independent candidates have also won seats.