Oppn places Khaleda proposal, walk out
Picking the head of the poll-time government on the basis of consensus is the main issue for the opposition to resolve the ongoing political stalemate, not selecting the 10 advisers from the two previous caretaker governments. After returning to Parliament on Wednesday, BNP lawmakers made it clear while they presented the opposition leaders proposal on poll-time government in the House.
On Monday, Khaleda Zia through a press conference placed her proposal suggesting picking 10 advisers for the next poll-time government from the two CG’s of 1996 and 2001. She also said that a respected citizen, selected on the basis of consensus between the opposition and the ruling party would head this poll-time government.
“Opposition leader in her proposal on the poll-time government said that the head of the poll-time caretaker government should be selected on the basis of consensus. That is the main issue because we can select the head of this government through discussion then the issue of picking up the 10 advisers can be settled easily,” BNP standing committee member MK Anwar told the House on point of order after AL lawmaker Tofail Ahmed decried Khaleda’s proposal.
Urging the opposition to place the proposal as per the rules of the procedure, Tofail said that Khaleda’s proposal was unrealistic and unconstitutional.
He also pointed out that most of the 20 advisers from whom the opposition leader proposed to nominate 10 advisers for the interim cabinet were not available.
Earlier, BNP joined the session and senior BNP leader and former speaker Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar raised Khaleda’s proposal taking the floor on point of order. Later they walked out of the House when AL lawmaker Sheikh Selim quoting the court verdict said the rule of Ziaur Rahman was illegal.
While addressing the House, barrister Sircar urged the prime minister to consider the opposition’s proposal to save the nation from the present political crisis.
Meanwhile, the Business Advisory Committee of the Jatiya Sangsad decided that the ongoing 19th session of the ninth Jatiya Sangsad which began on September 12 would continue till November 7, 2013. If necessary, the Speaker could extend or reduce the duration of the session.
Previously the committee decided to run the session till October 24. Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury presided over the meeting. Member of the committee Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the meeting.
The meeting also decided to pass “Torture and Custodial Death (Prohibition) Bill, 2009” and “The Parents’ Care Bill 2013” in the current session.
Members of the committee Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali, Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Chief Whip Md Abdus Shahid, Suranjit Sengupta, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Tofail Ahmed, Md Fazley Rabbi Mian, Alhaj Advocate Md Rahmat Ali, Rashed Khan Menon and Abdul Matin Khasru also attended the meeting.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Shafiq Ahmed joined the meeting on special invitation.
Meanwhile, briefing reporters, BNP standing committee member MK Anwar questioned the sincerity of the ruling Awami League to resolve the political impasse through talks.
“It is regretful that we joined the House aiming at reaching a consensus on the formation of the poll-time government but they created a situation that prompted us to walk out of the Parliament,” he said.
The BNP leader said that the Jaitya Sangsad is a place for debating national issues but this is certainly not the place for a dialogue or discussion among political parties for reaching an understanding on critical political issues.
In response to the ruling party’s concern on the opposition proposed make up of the election-time government, he said 14 former advisers of two previous caretaker governments are still alive and well. “If the ruling party wants, it still can come up with its own proposal on the formation of the government,” he added.
Asked whether the opposition lawmakers would return to Parliament, the former minister said it would be decided following discussions at the party meeting. He, however, said the door to negotiation is still open and they do not want to shut it at this moment.
The BNP leader condemned the treasury bench members’ criticism against their party founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and said they walked out of the House in protest.
-With The Independent input
