Opposition to criticise motion of thanks on president’s speech today

The opposition in parliament is anticipated to strongly criticise the motion of thanks on the president's speech when the first session of the new parliament resumes today (15 March).

The sitting is scheduled to begin at 11am, with the motion of thanks on President Mohammed Shahabuddin's inaugural address placed on the day's agenda.

The parliamentary business advisory committee yesterday (14 March) decided that lawmakers would get a total of 50 hours to discuss the president's speech.

However, opposition parties have expressed strong objections to the motion of thanks.

NCP leader Atiqur Rahman Mujahid, elected from Kurigram-2, said the opposition would not express gratitude in their remarks.

"Opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has already said that we will not deliver speeches thanking the president. We will instead present our own views," he said.

During the inaugural sitting on Thursday, opposition MPs walked out while the president was delivering his speech, accusing him of being an "ally of fascism".

Explaining it, opposition leader and Jamaat Ameer-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman told the media that they could not listen to the president's speech in parliament.

"This parliament stands on the blood of the July martyrs. We requested that those who were accomplices of the fascist government and collaborators in killings should not be allowed to speak in this parliament," he said.

He also alleged that the president was "guilty on three counts," which, according to him, made it unacceptable for the opposition to hear his address in the House.

Meanwhile, the opposition has submitted a list seeking permission for nine of its members to speak during today's discussion.

Wishing not to be named, a senior NCP leader told The Business Standard that opposition lawmakers would come down heavily on the motion of thanks.

Jamaat-backed MP Obaidullah Salafi, elected from Nilphamari-3, said, "We have not yet received instructions from the party on what our stance will be on the motion of thanks on the president's speech."

Criticising the opportunity given to the president to address parliament, Nahid Islam, at an event in Mymensingh on Friday, said, "Allowing Chuppu [President] to speak in parliament is a betrayal of the people's aspirations. This president must be removed quickly. A new president must be elected, and he should be arrested for genocide and violating his oath."

Separately, Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Jamaat and coordinator of the 11-party alliance, warned of a tougher programme if a session of the proposed Constitutional Reform Council is not convened by today.

Speaking at a press conference after a liaison committee meeting of the alliance in Moghbazar yesterday, he said the alliance would launch a strict movement if their demand was not met.

According to a press release from the parliament secretariat, Sunday's agenda includes question-answer sessions for several ministries, including the Cabinet Division and the ministries of science and technology, education, social welfare, and housing and public works.

The secretariat said a total of 468 questions have been submitted for the session, including eight for the prime minister and 460 for other ministers.

It also received 27 notices for attention under Rule 71 and 97 notices for resolutions under Rule 131.