The Jatiya Party will decide whether it will sit in the opposition bench in parliament after discussing it with the party’s newly-elected lawmakers on Thursday (Jan 3), says Secretary General Mashiur Rahman Ranga.

“The MP’s will be sworn in on Thursday. The party’s Parliamentary Board, consisting of the new lawmakers, will then discuss what will be the Jatiya Party’s role in the House,” he told the media on Wednesday (Jan 2).

On Tuesday (Jan 1), Ranga said the Jatiya Party would announce its decision over its role in parliament.

HM Ershad’s party, which became the main opposition in parliament after the last general election boycotted by the BNP, secured 20 seats in Sunday’s elections - the second highest number of constituencies after the ruling party’s 259.

Despite being the main opposition, the Jatiya Party had three of its MPs, including Ranga, as part of the government, thus playing a “dual role” that drew criticisms for the absence of strong dissent in parliament.