Mohiuddin Alamgir

Kerala defeat ends last stronghold

The first session of the parliament ended with the promise of a vibrant House with lively debates but also revealed weaknesses in the failure to adopt reforms.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday told parliament that the government will consider the opposition’s proposal regarding the fuel situation and, if it contains realistic measures, will certainly act on them.

Twenty of the 133 ordinances issued by the interim government -- including major reforms on judicial independence, human rights, and anti-corruption -- are set to lose validity from today.

Eminent rights activists have criticised the parliamentary special committee’s recommendation to drop key ordinances issued by the interim government, noting that most of them are tied to crucial reforms.

Bangladesh’s political journey has repeatedly swung between hope and disappointment. The question now is whether the country is about to witness yet another repeat of that cycle.

A special parliamentary committee, reviewing ordinances issued by the interim government, yesterday recommended that 20 of them lapse or expire, including those aimed at ensuring judicial independence, curbing enforced disappearances, and strengthening the anti-corruption and human rights commissions.

What American diplomats and doctors saw in Dhaka after Operation Searchlight

It is rare for a government decision in Bangladesh to move at lightning speed -- raised in parliament one day and implemented the very next.

The 13th parliament yesterday held its inaugural sitting amid a heated atmosphere, as opposition MPs staged a walkout in protest against President Mohammed Shahabuddin speaking in the House.

Though the BNP won the February 12 national polls decisively, the main opposition Jamaat-e-Islami performed stronger in postal ballots.

After decades of boycotts and hollow debate, expectations are high for genuine lawmaking and accountability

The 13th parliament begins its journey today amid hopes that the new House will emerge as the living centre of democratic practice, alive with constructive debate, meaningful decision-making, and a strong role in holding the government accountable.

In a scene never witnessed before in Bangladesh’s parliamentary history, the maiden sitting of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad is likely to begin today with the speaker’s chair vacant for a brief period.

An unprecedented number of ballots was rejected in the February 12 national polls.

Bangladesh bristled with anticipation, convinced that a defining moment was approaching.

The voting rate in constituencies across the 12 city corporation areas was significantly lower than in rural areas.

Once rooted largely in rural heartlands, the party has now made visible inroads into urban constituencies, drawing support from affluent and educated voters.

Bangladesh has always had a rocky democracy

The arduous struggle for the restoration of democracy reaches its final step this afternoon, as an elected government prepares to take oath following the swearing‑in of newly elected lawmakers this morning.