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Published : 10 Jun 2026, 07:02 PM
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has explained the government's decision to assign ruling party women MPs elected to reserved seats to oversee development activities in constituencies represented by opposition lawmakers.
He said the government was acting in line with existing rules.
Tarique spoke during the Prime Minister’s Questions in parliament in response to a supplementary question from Jamaat-e-Islami MP for Dhaka-14 Mir Ahmad BinQuasem, popularly known as Barrister Arman.
Presiding over the sitting, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad heard Quasem raised concerns over media reports that ruling party women MPs had been tasked with monitoring development projects in opposition-held constituencies and could issue demi-official (DO) letters regarding such projects.
Quasem asked whether the move was intended to ensure that opposition MPs would have no role in development activities in their own constituencies.
In reply, Tarique said women MPs elected by both the ruling party and opposition parties did not have constitutionally or legally designated geographical constituencies.
“Neither the Constitution nor the law assigns them specific constituencies as it does for you or me,” he said.
He said parties had therefore allocated areas where reserved-seat members could work based on their political and organisational structures.
“As an elected representative, you have every right to determine how you wish to contribute to the development of your constituency,” the prime minister said.
“Likewise, these women MPs also have rights and responsibilities towards the people in the areas assigned to them.”
Tarique added, “We are proceeding according to the government’s established rules. If there is any development matter in your constituency where my assistance is needed, let me know.”
Of the 350 seats in parliament, 50 are reserved for women.
