Opposition will join budget session, Speaker optimistic
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
As the bickering between the ruling party and the opposition over re-arrangement of front-row seats in parliament was on, Speaker Abdul Hamid Monday expressed his hope that the opposition would join the budget session to make it more effective and livelier, reports UNB.
"I do hope they'll change their mind and join the budget session being happy with the already allocated front-row seats," he told reporters after a certificate distribution ceremony of an orientation programme for women MPs of the 9th parliament.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and Bangladesh Alliance for Women Leadership (BDAWL) jointly hosted the three-day orientation course for women lawmakers.
Replying to a question whether the front-row seats for the opposition would be increased, the smiling Speaker said there was room to discuss the issue.
"As there are many seats in parliament, no one can say for sure when the seat arrangement would be changed," he told the reporters saying 'no' to further queries.
Meanwhile, Opposition Chief Whip Joinal Abedin Farooq said they saw a ray of hope over allocation of more seats in the front row for the opposition. "There is no last word in politics and I'm seeing a ray of hope about it," the opposition chief whip said.
He said there was still scope for discussion and both the parties need to reach a consensus to make parliament effective and lively. "I hope we'll be given respectable number of seats in the front row."
Asked whether they would join the current parliament session, Farooq said he alone could not say it. "It'll be decided in our parliamentary party meeting next week."
Earlier, Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali in his speech urged the women MPs to think about formation of a 'caucus' to serve the nation effectively and pledged that his office would provide all-out cooperation in this regard.
He said the lawmakers who participated in the three-day programme would be able to play more proactive role in parliament and the issues covered over the last three days would help them a lot in this regard.
The Deputy Speaker called upon the women MPs to participate in such programmes in the days ahead to enrich their knowledge.
Appreciating the role of female lawmakers, he said, "You should be treated as lawmakers, not woman lawmakers."
US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty in his closing remarks said the US applauded the promising efforts to fully integrate women into the country's political governance as Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to democracy.
"As Bangladesh moves into a new stage in its democratic development, the US government will continue to support improved governance here and we'll provide long-term support to parliament, political parties and Election Commission (EC)," Moriarty said.
He expressed the hope that the participating lawmakers found the orientation sessions over the last three days as a useful opportunity for information-sharing dialogue and said women's participation and empowerment were integral part of all development activities. "Women leaders are also making vital contributions to development at local level."
He said the recent parliamentary election in Bangladesh was a milestone in terms of women's participation in politics. "Throughout the world today, including Bangladesh, women were agents for change, arbiters of peace, advocates of development and allies in promoting good governance," Moriarty said.
He welcomed suggestions from all on how best to assist parliamentary development and advance the critical role of women MPs.
Later, the Speaker handed over certificates among the participants of the orientation programme.
"I do hope they'll change their mind and join the budget session being happy with the already allocated front-row seats," he told reporters after a certificate distribution ceremony of an orientation programme for women MPs of the 9th parliament.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and Bangladesh Alliance for Women Leadership (BDAWL) jointly hosted the three-day orientation course for women lawmakers.
Replying to a question whether the front-row seats for the opposition would be increased, the smiling Speaker said there was room to discuss the issue.
"As there are many seats in parliament, no one can say for sure when the seat arrangement would be changed," he told the reporters saying 'no' to further queries.
Meanwhile, Opposition Chief Whip Joinal Abedin Farooq said they saw a ray of hope over allocation of more seats in the front row for the opposition. "There is no last word in politics and I'm seeing a ray of hope about it," the opposition chief whip said.
He said there was still scope for discussion and both the parties need to reach a consensus to make parliament effective and lively. "I hope we'll be given respectable number of seats in the front row."
Asked whether they would join the current parliament session, Farooq said he alone could not say it. "It'll be decided in our parliamentary party meeting next week."
Earlier, Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali in his speech urged the women MPs to think about formation of a 'caucus' to serve the nation effectively and pledged that his office would provide all-out cooperation in this regard.
He said the lawmakers who participated in the three-day programme would be able to play more proactive role in parliament and the issues covered over the last three days would help them a lot in this regard.
The Deputy Speaker called upon the women MPs to participate in such programmes in the days ahead to enrich their knowledge.
Appreciating the role of female lawmakers, he said, "You should be treated as lawmakers, not woman lawmakers."
US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty in his closing remarks said the US applauded the promising efforts to fully integrate women into the country's political governance as Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to democracy.
"As Bangladesh moves into a new stage in its democratic development, the US government will continue to support improved governance here and we'll provide long-term support to parliament, political parties and Election Commission (EC)," Moriarty said.
He expressed the hope that the participating lawmakers found the orientation sessions over the last three days as a useful opportunity for information-sharing dialogue and said women's participation and empowerment were integral part of all development activities. "Women leaders are also making vital contributions to development at local level."
He said the recent parliamentary election in Bangladesh was a milestone in terms of women's participation in politics. "Throughout the world today, including Bangladesh, women were agents for change, arbiters of peace, advocates of development and allies in promoting good governance," Moriarty said.
He welcomed suggestions from all on how best to assist parliamentary development and advance the critical role of women MPs.
Later, the Speaker handed over certificates among the participants of the orientation programme.