Shafiqur Rahman named opposition leader, Taher deputy and Nahid chief whip

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has been appointed Opposition Leader in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, with Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher named as Deputy Opposition Leader and Jatiya Nagorik Party convenor Nahid Islam selected as Opposition Chief Whip.

The decision was taken at a parliamentary party meeting held on Tuesday (February 17), following the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected members of parliament.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman, the ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, will serve as the Opposition Leader in the lower house. 

He is expected to lead the opposition’s parliamentary strategy, raise key national issues and hold the government accountable on legislative and policy matters.

The post of Deputy Opposition Leader has been given to Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, a newly elected lawmaker from Comilla-11 Chauddagram and the naib-e-ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami. 

As deputy leader, Taher will assist in coordinating parliamentary activities and representing the opposition in the absence of the leader.

Meanwhile, Nahid Islam, the convenor of the National Citizen Party, has been appointed Opposition Chief Whip. 

In this role, he will be responsible for maintaining discipline among opposition lawmakers and coordinating their participation in parliamentary sessions and votes.

The development was confirmed by Md Abdul Karim, ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami in Gaibandha district and a member of parliament from Gaibandha-2, who attended the meeting. 

He said the decisions were taken unanimously by the opposition lawmakers present.

Party insiders said a joint press statement from the 11-party alliance is expected to be issued soon to formally announce the leadership lineup to the public.