The 13th National Parliament is set to begin its historic first session today, Thursday, March 12, at 11:00 AM. However, the opening day is already marked by a sharp confrontation between the treasury and opposition benches regarding the role of the President.
After years of what many citizens described as an "ineffective" legislature—characterized by one-sided governments and a "tame" opposition—the Parliament is seeing a revival of political pluralism following a mass uprising and a change in power.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) returns to lead the House, while Jamaat-e-Islami and the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) take on the mantle of the opposition for the first time.
The Constitutional Deadlock
The primary point of contention is the scheduled inaugural address by President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
The Government's Position: The BNP-led government maintains that, following parliamentary tradition, the President must deliver the opening speech of the first session.
The Opposition's Protest: Opposition leaders have explicitly challenged the President's legitimacy to speak. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, stated, "The President has no right to deliver a speech in this session. It is incomprehensible why the BNP is facilitating this."
The NCP’s Demand: Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), called for more radical action, urging the government to prioritize the swearing-in of the Constitution Reform Council and the election of a new President to replace the incumbent.
A "Responsible" Opposition
Despite the friction, Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami intends to foster a constructive environment.
"Jamaat will play the role of a responsible opposition," he said.
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"We will not oppose everything for the sake of it, nor will we offer support without full understanding. We aim to keep matters within the House and will only seek legal recourse if absolutely forced."
As the session begins, public expectations are high that this 13th Parliament will serve as a milestone for democratic restoration, moving away from the "partial elections" of the past toward a more vibrant and accountable legislative body.
