Dhaka, Mar 02 (V7N) — Salahuddin Ahmed, Home Minister of Bangladesh, said on Monday that a verbal proposal has been made to appoint a deputy speaker from the opposition party in accordance with the July National Charter. He added that if the opposition agrees, the oath-taking could take place during the first session of the parliament.

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat, the Minister clarified that members who have already taken the oath as MPs will join parliament in that capacity. He emphasized that there is no provision for a Constitutional Reform Council in the current constitution, and any discussions about it are considered a matter of political opinion rather than legal authority.

Salahuddin Ahmed also noted that a Constitutional Reform Council could only be established through formal amendments to the constitution, making it impossible to implement outside the legal framework.

Regarding the President’s address in the first session, the Home Minister said it is a constitutional norm. He stressed that while the provision exists, it is the right of any member to speak if they disagree with the address.

Finally, the Minister confirmed that all 133 ordinances will be presented to parliament in the first session as per constitutional requirements, while their implementation will be subject to parliamentary discussion.

END/SMA/AJ