The opposition has every right to walk out of parliament if they wish, as it is part of parliamentary culture, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Wednesday following a walkout by opposition lawmakers.
Opposition party members staged the walkout after no decision was made by the government regarding the referendum reform proposal and the formation of a constitutional council.
Before the walkout, opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman stood on a point of order and announced it, citing the lack of a decision on the issues.
In response, the home minister said, “If the opposition leader wants to walk out, they have the right to walk out. That is part of parliamentary culture. ”
He, however, noted that since the opposition’s remarks had been recorded, it would be appropriate for the government’s statement to also be on record.
Salahuddin, also a BNP standing committee member, elaborated on the rules governing adjournment motions in parliament.
He explained that the adjournment motion in question had been accepted by the Deputy Speaker in the Speaker’s absence, at which time he had raised an objection under Rule 68.
“There is no provision to discuss any matter through an adjournment motion that can be resolved through legislation,” the home minister said.
“It was the speaker’s generosity, as the guardian of the House, to consider it as a matter of national importance and allow discussion, setting aside two hours for it.”
Salahuddin clarified that once an adjournment motion has been discussed, there is no provision for a vote to determine the outcome. The only provision for a vote is on whether the motion itself will be raised or not.
“The privilege is that when an opposition member seeks to disrupt government business, according to British parliamentary precedent, they raise an adjournment motion to prevent the treasury bench’s discussion from proceeding,” he said.
He also contested the opposition leader’s claim that no adjournment motion had been read out, stating that a private member could raise such a motion.
“Since you have already accepted a similar adjournment motion from the opposition leader on the same subject, you will have to consider that,” he said.
