BNP MPs submit resignation to JS speaker
BNP MPs physically submitted their resignation to the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) speaker on Sunday
All seven Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) MPs submitted their resignation to the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) speaker on Sunday (11 December).
Five of the BNP lawmakers visited the parliament around 11am and handed in their resignation to the speaker in person while two others submitted it via the BNP whip.
The MPs who have resigned are -- Md Zahidur Rahman, Thakurgaon-3; Md Mosharof Hosen, Bogura-4; Gulam Mohammad Siraj, Bogura-6; Md Aminul Islam, Chapainawabganj-2; Md Harunur Rashid, Chapainawabganj-3; Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan, Brahmanbaria-2; and Rumeen Farhana, Women's Reserved Seat.
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Addressing the development, Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said, "They [the BNP MPs] have submitted total seven resignation letters.
"I have accepted five, of those who were present in-person today. Their respective constituencies have now become vacant."
"I will scrutinize the submission of other two lawmakers [who could not be present at the Parliament] and make a decision in this regard," she told reporters.
BNP's International Affairs Secretary Rumeen Farhana announced the decision from the party's Dhaka rally at Golapbagh playground on Saturday (10 December).
The MPs had sent their resignation through an e-mail to the concerned authorities the same day.
In 1994, 147 of the 154 opposition parliamentary members of Awami League, Jamaat and Jatiya Party (JaPa) resigned in a bid to oust the then Khaleda Zia's government.
After a parliament seat gets empty, according to the constitution of Bangladesh, by-elections have to be held for that seat within 90 days of being declared empty.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said the parliament will not be paralysed if seven BNP lawmakers resign.
"We have many lawmakers. The parliament has more than 45 opposition MPs too. So, there is no reason to think that the Jatiya Sangsad will be paralysed if the seven of you go," he said while addressing an AL rally at the Radio Colony School and College ground in Savar on Saturday.
BNP has put forward a 10-point charter of demand including the resignation of the current Awami League government.
The party also sought immediate steps to dissolve the parliament, announced BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain while speaking at the party's final divisional rally at Golapbagh.
Their demands also include forming neutral caretaker government that must form a neutral Election Commission, which will ensure a level-playing field for all parties.
