Jamaat-e-Islami MPs left parliament on Wednesday night in protest against the exclusion of opposition members from chairmanships of standing committees in the 13th Parliament.

At around 9:10 pm, Jamaat lawmakers led by Deputy Leader of the Opposition Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher exited the chamber minutes after 10 new standing committees were formed, all chaired by BNP MPs.

According to the Rules of Procedure, all 50 standing committees must be formed within the third session of parliament. With the latest formation, 25 committees have been established, including 19 ministry-related ones. Only Taher was appointed chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, while no opposition MPs were given chairmanships of ministry-related committees.

Rising on a point of order, Taher accused the government of ignoring opposition rights. “We expect, as our right, 26 percent of the chairmanships. The government is becoming reckless due to its two-thirds majority,” he said, warning that opposition MPs may not remain in the chamber if future committees are formed in the same manner.

Home Minister Salahuddin responded, saying there was no provision or precedent for opposition chairmanships in proportion to their seats. He added that the July National Charter includes such a pledge, but it requires constitutional amendment before implementation.

While Jamaat MPs left the chamber, NCP MP Hasnat Abdullah and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish MP Sayed Uddin Ahmad Hanzala initially stayed, though Hanzala departed shortly after. Jamaat spokesperson Najibur Rahman later clarified that members “did not walk out” but “left the House.”