The first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament begins today, Thursday, March 12, 2026, but political tensions have already escalated between the ruling BNP and the opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami. Disagreements over the July National Charter implementation, the Constitutional Reform Council oath, and the president’s scheduled speech have created friction, raising the possibility of an opposition walkout on the opening day.

The government and opposition remain divided over how to implement the July Charter, which followed a national referendum. The opposition insists on full implementation of all four referendum points and has taken dual oaths as both council and parliament members, while the government plans to proceed with only agreed sections through constitutional amendment. Disputes also continue over the deputy speaker’s post and the legitimacy of President Md. Shahabuddin’s address, which some opposition leaders reject.

The session marks the end of a one-and-a-half-decade of one-sided parliaments. Despite BNP’s two-thirds majority, the opposition holds 77 seats and has pledged constructive participation. The session will begin with the election of a new speaker and deputy speaker, followed by the president’s address and presentation of 133 ordinances issued by the interim government.