Opposition may opt for JS boycott over reform issue

The 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) may face its first major political test as the opposition alliance, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), considers boycotting parliament over its demands for state reforms.

The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance has already decided to stage street demonstrations while simultaneously considering a parliamentary boycott to press for state reforms, implementation of the July National Charter and several other demands. An opposition MP said they would consider boycotting parliament if the government failed to take steps to address their demands.

The opposition is considering the move after attending tomorrow’s JS session. The development comes after opposition lawmakers walked out of the first sitting of the third session of the 13th Parliament on Thursday, protesting what they described as the government’s approach to policymaking and the legislative process.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the conduct of the government and the ruling party in parliament, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher said, “The Awami League has not behaved like the current government is behaving towards the opposition.”

Regarding the referendum and the July Charter, he said the BNP is now breaking promises made to the people.

Opposition lawmakers walked out of the House on Thursday shortly before three key bills, including the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026, and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026, were tabled.

The opposition accused the treasury bench of bypassing core commitments outlined in the July Charter.

“We are firmly and clearly in favour of the main demand for reforms. We believe piecemeal bills will suppress that core mandate, and we will not participate in suppressing it,” Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman said before leading opposition MPs out of the House.

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The opposition wants the reform agenda, particularly issues covered by the July Charter, to be addressed through a clear and credible institutional process. The government, meanwhile, appears keen to proceed with legislation and parliamentary business under the existing constitutional framework. The differing positions have created growing tension between the government and the opposition. Tomorrow’s sitting could prove crucial as the opposition may raise the July Charter, good governance, law and order, and other issues.

Opposition lawmakers intend to use Points of Order to raise objections to what they describe as the rapid tabling of legislation without a comprehensive consensus on reforms.

Sources said opposition MPs had been instructed to raise the issues vigorously and press the government to clarify its position on implementing the July Charter. If the government fails to respond positively, the opposition may stage another walkout during the second day of the third session, potentially laying the groundwork for a parliamentary boycott.

An opposition MP said they may stage a fresh walkout on Sunday and subsequently boycott parliament by staying away from proceedings in the days following the session.

SUST Professor Dr Md Shahabul Haque said that if the two sides failed to find common ground, the dispute over reforms could develop into a prolonged parliamentary standoff, with the possibility of the Jamaat-led opposition alliance staying away from parliamentary proceedings for an extended period.