A parliamentary party meeting of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is underway at National Parliament House.
The meeting began at around 11:15 am on Wednesday (March 11). It is being chaired by parliamentary leader and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Party lawmakers are discussing preparations for the upcoming parliament session scheduled to begin on Thursday (March 12).
According to party sources, the meeting will also discuss appointments for key parliamentary positions in the first session, including the president, speaker and deputy speaker. A decision on these posts may be taken during the meeting.
Traditionally, candidates nominated by the ruling party are elected as speaker and deputy speaker because of their majority in parliament. However, BNP has proposed allocating the deputy speaker position to the opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. It remains unclear whether the party will accept the offer. Jamaat leaders are expected to discuss the matter in their own meeting today.
BNP formed the government after securing a majority in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12 under an interim government.
According to the constitution, parliament must be convened within 30 days of the announcement of election results. President Mohammed Shahabuddin has already summoned the first session of the 13th parliament.
The session is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am on Thursday at the parliament chamber in the National Parliament Building.
