The Jamaat-led opposition has demanded a 50-hour debate in parliament on the president’s address despite boycotting the speech during the session, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.
The minister raised the issue on the second day of the 13th parliament’s first session on Sunday.
He told the parliament that the opposition had walked out of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban when President Mohammed Shahabuddin delivered the speech in line with Article 73 of the Constitution.
“Our friends in the opposition did not wish to hear the speech and they left. However, they have proposed allocating 50 hours to discuss that very speech,” Salahuddin said, adding that the government would allocate time proportionately if such a debate takes place.
The walkout took place during the first sitting of the new parliament on Thursday when the opposition left the House during the president’s address.
Explaining the boycott later, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said the president had failed to act as the “guardian of the state”.
“The President became an accomplice to killings that occurred during his tenure as he did not protest or take action,” he said.
He also alleged that the head of state committed a “heinous crime” against citizens by failing to protect their interests.
The demand for a 50-hour debate signals the possibility of a prolonged and contentious discussion in the House as the parliamentary session proceeds.
