Opposition walks out of Parliament accusing govt of overlooking people's verdict

Lawmakers from the Jamaat-e-Islami led opposition alliance walkout of Jatiya Sangsad on Wednesday evening, led by Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman, in protest over parliament's refusal to pass a resolution on convening the Constitution Reform Council.

The opposition members exited the chamber at approximately 5:45 pm, bringing an abrupt end to two days of tense debate over implementation of the July National Charter.

Shafiqur had risen during unscheduled proceedings to request a formal vote and resolution on the adjournment motion he had submitted, which had been debated at length on Tuesday.

In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed confirmed that while the motion had been accepted for debate, it could not proceed to a binding decision. The Speaker noted that only three adjournment motions have ever been successfully passed in the entire 53 year history of Bangladesh's parliament.

"You know very well that an adjournment motion cannot be brought on an issue that can only be resolved through legislation. Even so, it was accepted generously to give the opposition a chance to speak," Hafiz told the House.

The Speaker then offered a compromise, confirming that a separate new notice on the same subject would be considered immediately. He assured opposition members they would be granted unrestricted speaking time during that discussion, either later the same day or on Thursday.

Shafiqur rejected the proposal, telling the chamber that the constitutional reform council was an issue all parties had jointly agreed upon and campaigned for ahead of the general election.

"Yet we did not receive the remedy we expected. This is not just about us. It reflects that the verdict of the people was neither honoured nor valued," the opposition leader stated. "As the opposition, we cannot accept this disregard. Therefore, in protest, we are staging a walkout."

The Speaker urged the opposition to reconsider, noting that he had listened to Shafiqur's entire statement without interruption.

"Walking out is your right, but I would like to point out that another adjournment motion will be considered shortly. I believe that in that discussion you will find answers to your questions, and you will have the chance to speak freely and at length. My request is that you stay and listen. Afterwards, if you still wish to walk out, you may do so."

Shafiqur returned to the floor one final time to reject the offer. He told the Speaker that the new notice had been deliberately introduced to overshadow and deflect from the original proposal. The opposition leader then led his alliance's lawmakers out of the chamber.