The July National Charter and the stalled constitutional reform process came up repeatedly as lawmakers began discussions on the motion of thanks on the president’s address in the Parliament on Sunday.
On the first day of the debate on the President's speech, 14 members took part, raising issues ranging from the July Charter and the constitutional reform council to political developments after the 2024 change in power, alongside demands for development projects in their respective constituencies.
Jatiya Sangsad session adjourned until March 29
The first session of the 13th parliament began on 12 March with President Mohammed Shahabuddin delivering his address.
The Business Advisory Committee later fixed 50 hours for discussion on the speech. After Sunday’s sitting, parliament was adjourned for 13 days until 3pm on 29 March.
Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam moved the motion of thanks on the president’s address, which was seconded by Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu.
BNP lawmaker Monirul Haque Chowdhury of Cumilla-6 opened the debate, congratulating Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and recalling his student life, sporting career and role in the Liberation War.
Turning to politics, he said the current parliament emerged from a national unity initiative following the political change in 2024. Referring to relations between BNP and Jamaat, he said the political understanding during Khaleda Zia’s tenure should not be forgotten.
Jamaat lawmaker Masood Sayeedi from Pirojpur-1 described the July National Charter, signed on 17 October 2025, as a milestone in the country’s history. He alleged that despite the referendum endorsing reforms, BNP had disappointed the public by not taking oath as members of the constitutional reform council.
He also noted that the implementation order for the charter required the first sitting of the council to be convened within 30 calendar days, which has yet to happen.
BNP lawmaker Selimuzzaman Mollah from Gopalganj-1 urged the government to treat Gopalganj like any other district rather than viewing it through a political lens.
Jamaat’s Md Nazibur Rahman from Pabna-1 said presidential orders must be treated as law, referring to Article 152 of the constitution, and argued that the issue of the constitutional reform council could not be avoided.
Islamic Andolon Bangladesh lawmaker Md Oliullah from Barguna-1 objected to the president delivering the address, saying a figure associated with what he termed a “fascist regime” addressing parliament undermined the spirit of the July uprising. At the same time, he described the speech as well written and fluent but criticised it for not adequately addressing the July declaration and charter.
Several lawmakers also raised development issues in their constituencies.
BNP member GK Gauch from Habiganj-3 highlighted long-standing transport difficulties in Sylhet division and called for the speedy completion of the Dhaka–Sylhet highway and improvements to railway services. He also demanded a medical college and a public agricultural university in Habiganj.
BNP’s Munshi Rafiqul Alam from Feni-1 alleged that the district had been deprived of development over the past 16 years due to its political association with Khaleda Zia and called for the establishment of a medical college and road improvements.
From Natore-3, BNP lawmaker Anwarul Islam emphasised the potential of agriculture and fisheries-based industries in the Chalan Beel region.
Chattogram-1 member Nurul Amin raised demands for road and bridge development in Mirsharai and praised the government’s canal excavation programme.
Pirojpur-3 member Ruhul Amin Dulal said the president’s address had acknowledged the July fighters and criticised past authoritarian rule, which he said was a positive aspect of the speech.
Kishoreganj-2 member Advocate Jalaluddin said by highlighting past abuses of power, the president had effectively acted as a “state witness”.
Nilphamari-4 member Abdul Muntakim, who described himself as a July movement activist and former detainee, called for preserving the spirit of the uprising and demanded modernisation of the Saidpur railway workshop and expansion of healthcare facilities.
Mymensingh-10 member Akhteruzzaman urged both treasury and opposition benches not to engage in opposition for its own sake but to focus on public issues.
Meanwhile, Patuakhali-4 member BM Mosharraf Hossain said the president’s address had countered allegations of corruption levelled against BNP during the previous government’s tenure. He also called for developing Kuakata as an international tourist destination and activating the country’s third seaport.