Bangladesh parliament meets after uprising, elections ushered in new gov’t
Al Jazeera
Newly elected PM Rahman has blamed Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party for undermining the previous parliament.
Bangladesh’s parliament has convened for the first time since a deadly 2024 uprising plunged the country into political turmoil and triggered landmark elections last month.
“After more than a decade and a half of fascist and subservient rule, the activities of parliament are beginning today with representatives elected by the people,” the newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told parliament on Thursday.
Rahman, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and son of the late leader Khaleda Zia, took over after February 12 elections from the interim administration that had led the country of 170 million people since August 2024.
“The BNP wants to build a prosperous, safe and democratic country,” the party’s leader said, calling on all politicians, whatever their political opinions, to work together.
Rahman blamed the toppled government of Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in absentia for the crackdown that killed hundreds, and her Awami League party, for undermining the previous parliament.
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