Senior BNP MP to preside over House temporarily before speaker’s election

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will open the maiden sitting of the 13th parliament tomorrow with a welcome and introductory speech, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said.

Speaking after a BNP parliamentary party meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban today, Salahuddin outlined tentative procedures for the session.

He said the prime minister will nominate a senior BNP lawmaker to temporarily preside over the House, as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are currently unavailable.

“The House sitting will be presided over by him (the BNP leader) and the House will elect Speaker and the Deputy Speaker,” Salahuddin said.

After their election, the newly elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker will take oath before President Mohammed Shahabuddin, the home minister said.

The parliamentary sitting will then resume. During that sitting, the House is expected to elect members to the panel of chairpersons and form key parliamentary bodies, including the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) and other standing committees.

Salahuddin also said President Shahabuddin is set to deliver a speech before the House. The BAC will determine the duration and agenda of the session.

He added that the law minister will place several ordinances promulgated during the tenure of the interim government before the House.