Opposition boycotts President’s speech over ‘3 allegations’, says Shafiqur Rahman

The opposition in 13th Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday boycotted the inaugural address of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, with Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman saying the move was in protest against what he described as three “offences” committed by the head of state.

Opposition lawmakers staged a walkout from the parliamentary session shortly after the president began delivering his speech, following protests inside the chamber.

Under parliamentary tradition, the president delivers a speech at the first sitting of Jatiya Sangsad at the start of a new term.

Speaking to journalists after the walkout, Shafiqur Rahman said the current parliament was formed on the sacrifices of the July martyrs and claimed the opposition had earlier urged that no “associates of fascism or perpetrators of killings” be allowed to address the House.

He alleged that the president was involved in three controversial actions. First, he claimed the president had been complicit in incidents of killings during past political events.

Secondly, he referred to the president’s national address on August 5, 2024, in which he had said the then prime minister had resigned and that he had accepted the resignation. 

According to Shafiqur Rahman, the president later denied that statement, which he said raised questions about his credibility.

As the third allegation, the opposition leader criticised the president for signing an ordinance related to the election process, which stipulated that elected members of parliament would also serve on a reform council and that both oaths would be administered on the same day by the same authority.

Shafiqur Rahman further claimed that while opposition lawmakers took both oaths, members of the ruling party did not.

He also alleged that the president failed to convene a session of the reform council within 30 days of issuing the ordinance, which he said was a constitutional obligation. Referring to a referendum, he claimed that 70 percent of voters had supported the measure, but the public mandate had been ignored.

Meanwhile, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam urged Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed to ensure that no “fascist elements or their associates” are allowed to address Parliament, saying such speeches could undermine the dignity of the House.

SH