Bangladesh
Matia Chowdhury Awami League decides to make Matia Chowdhury deputy leader of Parliament
Dhaka, January 13: The ruling Awami League has decided to make veteran and experienced leader Matia Chowdhury the deputy leader of the National Assembly. She is currently a member of the presidium of Awami League and a former agriculture minister.
Obaidul Quader, General Secretary of Awami League, raised the issue at the meeting of the Awami League parliamentary party at Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday (January 12). Awami League Parliamentary Party Secretary and Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton supported this.
As per rules, no vote is required for the post of Deputy Leader of Parliament. The Leader of Parliament conveyed his opinion to the Speaker. The Speaker sends it to the President for approval and completes the rest of the process. No oath is required for this post. However, the Deputy Leader of the Parliament gets the rank and privileges of the Minister.
Parliament Deputy Leader Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury passed away on September 11 after being ill for a long time. The post fell vacant on her death.
There is no obligation to appoint a Deputy Leader of Parliament as per the Parliamentary Act. BNP did not nominate anyone for this post during their time. However, Awami League has always embellished this position by giving one of their senior leaders.
Parliament Leader and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said during the Begum Rokeya Padak 2022 awarding ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on December 9 last year that a woman can be made the new Deputy Leader of the Parliament. After this speech of the Prime Minister, the name of Matia Chowdhury came into discussion.
