Parliament Secretariat announces names of a new chief whip and 6 whips

The Parliament Secretariat has named a new chief whip and six whips.

The appointments, made under the Article 3(1) of the Bangladesh (Whips) Order, 1972, were announced in two separate notices on Monday.

According to one of the notices, Nurul Islam, member of parliament (MP) from the Barguna-2 constituency, has been made the chief whip of the parliament.

Six other MPs have been appointed as whips. They are GK Gouse, who has been elected an MP from the Habiganj-3 seat, Rakibul Islam from Khulna-3, Nuruddin Ahmad Apu from Shariatpur-3, Ruhul Quddus Talukder from Natore-2, Akhtaruzzaman Mia from Dinajpur-4, and Ashraf Uddin from Lakshmipur-4.

In an immediate reaction to his appointment, Chief Whip Nurul Islam told bdnews24.com: "Keep me in your prayers."

The chief whip serves as the spokesperson for the ruling party in parliament. Tasked with maintaining party discipline, whips ensure the attendance of MPs during sessions and coordinate voting on critical bills and motions in line with party directives.

The chief whip enjoys the rank and privileges of a minister, while whips hold the status of a state minister.

These privileges include official government housing and vehicles, monthly salaries along with fuel and entertainment allowances, and dedicated office staff and medical benefits as per parliamentary regulations.