History was made on Monday with the first female Speaker presiding over Parliament, in which the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition, also women, were present.
Parliament convened at 5.30pm on the first day of the budget session.
Ruling coalition MPs welcomed Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, who took over as Speaker on Apr 30.
At 5:52pm, opposition chief Khaleda Zia led 38 opposition MPs into the assembly ending an 83-day boycott.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was already present.
Parliament was packed to capacity. There are 349 MPs at present, with the Kishoreganj-4 seat remaining vacant.
Speaker Chaudhury entered the assembly at around 5:30pm. Most members of the ruling coalition were already seated by then and they thumped their tables to mark Chaudhury’s arrival.
Hasina, the Leader of Parliament, was seen smiling at one point.
The day’s session began with recitations from the Quran.
Chaudhury, who takes over from Abdul Hamid, now the President, wore a green-red jamdani saree, bearing resemblance to the national flag.
All eyes were on the new Speaker before the session began. She took the Speaker’s chair, put on her glasses, picked up a pen and turned her gaze on to the papers before her.
Cameras blazed to capture her first moments as the Speaker.
Hasina looked on with a smile as Chaudhury settled down.
The Speaker began her welcome and maiden speech with ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim’ (In the name of Allah, the most compassionate and merciful).
In her 11-minute speech, the Speaker sought everyone’s cooperation.
The MPs present clearly appeared overawed as history was being made with the country’s first woman Speaker taking charge. They thumped their tables at least a dozen times.
Whip ASM Frioz greeted Chaudhury, saying, “We are happy today. Thrilled. I welcome you on behalf of all parliament members as a Speaker who is worthy, skilled, honest and earnest.”
The opposition leaders, led by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, entered the hall at 5:50pm, ending their absence from Parliament lasting 83 consecutive days.
This is the ninth time the opposition chief joined Parliament.
Khaleda waved to greet the new Speaker and Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury waved back in acknowledgement.
The smiling Speaker then said, “I welcome you all.”
All the MPs thumped their tables in appreciation.
Khaleda was in Parliament for 51 minutes. She did not return after the break for Maghrib prayers.
Abdul Latif Siddiqui, who proposed the nomination of Shirin Sharmin for the post of Speaker, greeted her.
Rashed Khan Menon, too, conveyed his regards.
Tofail Ahmed observed in his first address: “The Leader of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition and the Speaker are all women. Parliament is complete now. How wonderful! This is nice and blessed.”
Shrin Shamrin Chaudhury’s father was a secretary under founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Tofail recalled those days.
ANM Mahfuza Khatun Baby Maudud was sitting where Chaudhury once sat before she was nominated Speaker. Meher Afroz Chumki, who was sworn in as State Minister for Women and Children Affairs, the new Speaker’s previous post, was seen seated in her old seat.
Khaleda waved to greet the new Speaker and Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury waved back in acknowledgement.
The smiling Speaker then said, “I welcome you all.”
All the MPs thumped their tables in appreciation.
Khaleda was in Parliament for 51 minutes. She did not return after the break for Maghrib prayers.
Abdul Latif Siddiqui, who proposed the nomination of Shirin Sharmin for the post of Speaker, greeted her.
Rashed Khan Menon, too, conveyed his deep regards.
Tofail Ahmed observed in his first address: “The Leader of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition and the Speaker are all women. Parliament is complete now. How wonderful! This is nice and blessed.”
Shrin Shamrin Chaudhury’s father was a secretary under founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Tofail recalled those days.
ANM Mahfuza Khatun Baby Maudud was sitting where Chaudhury once sat before she was nominated Speaker. Meher Afroz Chumki, who was sworn in as State Minister for Women and Children Affairs, the new Speaker’s previous post, was seen seated in her old seat.
