The opposition party staged a walkout from the National Parliament in protest over “not receiving any remedy” regarding the convening of a Constitution Reform Council meeting and the introduction of another proposal to suppress their own.
This afternoon, Wednesday, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman announced the walkout and left the parliamentary chamber along with opposition members.
On Tuesday, a discussion was held in Parliament on an adjournment motion regarding the “convening of a Constitution Reform Council meeting” for constitutional reform. During the discussion, the ruling party proposed forming an all-party special parliamentary committee to amend the constitution. However, the opposition did not agree. They said they would consider it if any committee were formed centered on the Constitution Reform Council.
Today, after the question-answer session in Parliament, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman stood on a point of order. Referring to the adjournment motion raised the previous day on convening the Constitution Reform Council, he told the Speaker that since this is a matter of public aspiration, a matter of referendum, and reflects the opinion of nearly 70 per cent of the people, they had expected to receive a remedy through the Speaker.
He had requested the Speaker to give a ruling but could not understand whether any decision had been made. He sought a clear answer on the matter.
In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said that the proposal was an adjournment motion and had taken place in his absence. In the country’s 53-year parliamentary history, only three adjournment motions have been accepted. For the sake of a lively discussion, the opposition’s adjournment motion was accepted under the chairmanship of the Deputy Speaker.
The Speaker said that issues which can only be resolved through legislation cannot be raised through an adjournment motion. However, if there is a willingness to speak more broadly, it will be considered. The opposition will be given further opportunity to express their views on the matter.
In reply, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman said they had sought a remedy. The issue is not related to any particular party. Before the election, both the ruling and opposition parties had agreed on the matter, spoken in its favor, and campaigned on it.
He said, “Since we did not receive a remedy, it is not just us—the people’s verdict has not been reflected or valued. Sitting in the opposition, we cannot accept this disregard. Therefore, in protest, we are staging a walkout.”
At that point, addressing the opposition leader, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said, “Honourable Opposition Leader, you did not allow me to finish my statement. I listened to you fully. It is your right to walk out. However, I want to say that another adjournment motion will be considered shortly today. I believe you will receive answers to your questions there and will have the opportunity to speak more freely.”
In response, the opposition leader said they had also taken note of that notice. He believes the new notice was brought forward to suppress their original one (the opposition’s). Therefore, they are staging a walkout in protest against both.
The Speaker then said, “The notice has not even been formally presented yet. How did you conclude that it is meant to suppress something? I request you to wait patiently and listen to the content of the notice.”
The opposition leader replied that the notice had already been read out earlier in the Speaker’s absence by the concerned member. They had heard it and, after understanding it, were stating their reasons for the walkout.
The Speaker then said that according to parliamentary norms, they have the right to walk out.
Following this, opposition members of Parliament left the chamber.