Bangladesh’s 13th Parliament is set to be one of the country’s most politically contested in nearly three decades, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) forming the government after winning a two-thirds majority and the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance emerging as the strongest Opposition bloc since the 1996 elections. The BNP secured 209 of 297 seats in the February 12 parliamentary polls, while the Jamaat-led alliance won 77 seats, positioning itself as the principal Opposition.
Political analysts say that, unlike in previous Parliaments where the Opposition benches were often criticised for being ineffective, the current House is likely to see robust debate and closer scrutiny, particularly on issues of governance, law and order, and constitutional reform. The size and ideological cohesion of the Opposition, they argue, will ensure an active Parliament.
