The parliament goes to its fifth session on Monday afternoon amid a political impasse with the blockade programme enforced by BNP-led 20-party alliance for an indefinite period.
President Abdul Hamid is set to address the inaugural sitting as this is the first session of the New Year.
Sources said the President in his speech, which was earlier approved by the cabinet, may focus on activities and successes of the AL-led government in the last six years as well as its future plans in the next four years, of its five year tenure. He might also offer some guidelines to move forward.The House may witness heated debate on current political situation in the country particularly the unrest and violence centering the ongoing blockade of 20-led alliance, attacks on innocent people, trial of war criminals and overall economic condition.
On January 12, 2014 Sheikh Hasina, who became the premier for the third time, formed her new cabinet following the January 5 poll that BNP had boycotted. The Awami League however won with absolute majority.
A record number of 153 lawmakers were elected unopposed and polling took place in about 147 constituencies across 59 districts of the country.
At the maiden session of the 10th parliament, began on January 29, President Abdul Hamid also delivered his speech.
The parliament is scheduled to sit at 4:10pm while the President is likely to deliver his speech at 4:25pm, according to Parliament sources.
Business Advisory Committee of parliament will sit in a meeting prior to the beginning of the session to fix duration and other important business of the session.
The meeting will also fix how many hours MPs will discuss in parliament on President’s speech.
A senior official of Parliament Secretariat said a bill on formalin control will be placed and is likely to be passed in this session and six other bills also remain pending in parliament for passage.
Opposition Chief Whip Tajul Islam Chowdhury told reporters that the Jatiya Party Parliamentary Party held a meeting last afternoon in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban to determine the party’s stance on different issues in parliament.
“We will make constructive criticism against the government’s wrongdoings and will welcome its good initiatives,” he said adding the Opposition Leader Raushan Ershad has given direction to all JP MPs to raise their voices against the ongoing violence and anarchy in the country in the name of political movement.
The 4th session of current parliament was prorogued on September 18 with ten sittings. – Staff Reporter
