Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman has declared that the opposition will accept the Deputy Speaker position only when the July National Charter is fully implemented, rejecting any piecemeal approach to the reform agenda.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday after a meeting of lawmakers from the Jamaat-led 11-party opposition alliance at parliament, Dr Shafiqur said the ruling party had contacted them informally about the Deputy Speaker post. "We thank them for that. We want the reform proposals in the July Charter to be implemented completely. Based on that, we want what is rightfully due to the opposition — nothing more. The Charter stipulates that a Deputy Speaker will come from the opposition. We do not want this in isolation. We want the full package — everything accepted and implemented — so that we can fulfill our legitimate responsibilities," he said.
Asked whether the opposition would boycott the President's address at the first session of the 13th parliament on Thursday, Dr Shafiqur replied cryptically: "We have discussed this extensively. Tomorrow you will see our role. As surely as the sun will rise, you will hear the speech and witness our response."
Outlining the opposition's parliamentary strategy, Dr Shafiqur said the party intends to play a responsible role. "Not opposition on everything, nor blind cooperation. We will support government decisions that benefit the nation. But if any decision harms the country, we will first point out the mistake, offer advice, and give an opportunity to correct course. If advice is ignored, we will protest. If protest fails, we will stand firmly for the people's rights," he explained.
He acknowledged the ruling party can push through decisions using its majority but said dialogue-based decisions would better serve the nation. He expressed hope the government would uphold the aspirations of the July uprising and noted that some government actions have already proven unacceptable to the public.
Emphasizing the inseparability of the parliamentary election and referendum results, Dr Shafiqur said both must be honored together. He noted that Jamaat and allied lawmakers took separate oaths as Constitutional Reform Council members and as parliamentarians to respect the July Charter Implementation Ordinance. He urged the ruling BNP, which has not taken the reform council oath, to do so promptly.
"Without 2024, there is no 2026. Bypassing July 2024 while moving to 2026 brings no good news to the nation," he warned. He reminded that 69 percent of voters supported the referendum and demanded all four referendum proposals be adopted and implemented exactly as presented.
Dr Shafiqur said the opposition would fight in parliament and, if necessary, on the streets, describing this as the beauty of democracy. He urged the Speaker to ensure fair treatment of the opposition, saying this would not only showcase democracy's beauty but make it sustainable — something Bangladesh has yet to achieve.
The meeting was attended by lawmakers from Jamaat and allied parties, including MPs ATM Azharul Islam, Mujibur Rahman, Rafiqul Islam Khan, and Shafiqul Islam Masud.
