Opposition MPs boycott President's speech, walk out on maiden session

Opposition lawmakers staged a walkout from parliament on Thursday, the very first day of the new session, protesting the address of President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

The protest began when the President arrived in the House to deliver his constitutionally mandated speech, the president's speech, which was approved by the Cabinet Division, marking the start of the session.

Despite the disruption, President Mohammed Shahabuddin commenced his speech, which is a constitutional requirement for the first session of a new parliament. Photo: Screengrab/BTV

As soon as the announcement of the President's entry was made, opposition MPs stood up in protest and displayed red cards bearing the slogan 'No betrayal with July'.

While the Leader of the House and members of the ruling party stood up to welcome the President, opposition lawmakers adopted a different form of protest by remaining seated in their chairs.

During the moment when the bugle sounded and the national anthem began to play, a section of MPs belonging to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami remained seated.

At that time, LGRD Mnister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and parliamentary officials signaled to the members, reminding them about the playing of the national anthem and requesting them to stand.

While the BNP-led government moved forward with the session, the main opposition, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP have signalled dissent by walking out of the inaugural session of the 13th Parliament. Photo: Screengrab/BTV

Although some MPs eventually stood up, others continued to remain seated.

Shortly after President Shahabuddin began delivering his speech, opposition lawmakers started shouting slogans inside the parliament and walked out.