Parliament row over opposition committee chairs enters third day

The dispute over opposition representation in parliamentary committee leadership continued for a third day as lawmakers prepared to form the standing committee on the Textiles and Jute Ministry.

Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman argued that opposition lawmakers should receive committee chairmanships, pointing to the 9th Parliament as precedent. “There were two standing committee chairmen from the opposition. So, there is precedent,” he said.

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There were two standing committee chairmen from the opposition. So, there is precedent.

Rahman also linked the demand to the government’s pledge to implement the July National Charter, saying opposition participation in parliamentary committees should reflect that commitment.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed acknowledged that opposition members had chaired committees in the past, citing the tenure of Ziaur Rahman. He said the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee had already gone to Deputy Opposition Leader Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher.

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If the opposition participates in the constitutional amendment process, they will receive chairmanships of standing committees proportionate to their seats. According to the July National Charter, you will get chairmanships in line with your representation.

“If the opposition participates in the constitutional amendment process, they will receive chairmanships of standing committees proportionate to their seats. According to the July National Charter, you will get chairmanships in line with your representation,” Ahmed said. He urged the opposition to join the constitutional amendments committee as a “good beginning” and promised that an amendment bill would be brought forward quickly to establish parliament’s upper house.

After the exchange, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni proposed the Textiles and Jute Ministry standing committee. Parliament approved its formation by voice vote.

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good beginning