Dhaka, March 12 -- A wave of fresh legislators has joined the inaugural session of the 13th parliament, with Leader of the House Tarique Rahman and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman among the debutants.

On Thursday at 10:50am, Prime Minister Tarique walked into the parliament session room, drawing loud desk-thumping applause from fellow lawmakers.

Smiling, he looked around the chamber before taking his seat.

From the first row of the VVIP lounge, his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman stood to greet him.

Back in 1991, Khaleda Zia, the late BNP chairperson, had entered parliament after winning five constituencies in the fifth national election, becoming prime minister for the first time.

Tarique, representing Dhaka-1...