Senior Awami League lawmaker Suranjit Sengupta on Monday asked the opposition to return to the Parliament and place their arguments, and assured them that the Constitution would be amended again, if required, even if a single person comes up with rational arguments.
Suranjit, a senior member on the AL's advisory council, said the provision of 'interim government' in the Constitution was enough for holding fair elections as the Election Commission has the final say in polls-related matters. 'Moreover, there are Articles 120, 123 and 124 to provide guidelines for formulation of further rules in this regard.'
'I urge you to come to the House and place your arguments. We have three-fourths majority, but if a single person comes up with rational points we will accept them and formulate further rules, and even amend the Constitution again if required,' said Suranjit while discussing the proposed budget for the next fiscal year.
He said that the issue of Constitution amendment was still under process and was being scrutinised by the concerned committee. He told the opposition leader, 'You can send any of your representatives. If you feel it's necessary you can send four representatives instead of one. All of your arguments will be recorded.'
'This government will turn into an interim government in the last 90 days of its tenure. The Election Commission will take all the polls-related decisions and the government will just carry out routine work,' said Suranjit.
'Let us empower the Election Commission with all authority in the last three months. Let us give them power over the home affairs ministry. We can even give them the defence ministry,' he said.
'Please join the Parliament instead of issuing statements. Please depend on the Election Commission,' Suranjit urged Khaleda Zia.
'Let us consult with each other before constituting the Election Commission. Sheikh Hasina did not say she would do it alone,' he told Khaleda Zia.
Suranjit said that the provision of interim government was the only solution. 'It is the only constitutional remedy. If you want to stay out on the streets, you can do so, but it will yield nothing.'
Suranjit said the court's ruling on 13th Amendment left no scope to reconsider the caretaker government issue. 'An issue declared unconstitutional cannot be made constitutional,' he said.
He accused Khaleda Zia of indulging in conspiracies. 'We do not hatch conspiracies but we can tackle conspiracies.'
Suranjit said the budget was 'large in volume but not in content'. He criticised the trend of implementing 30 per of the budget in the first nine months and hurriedly implementing the remaining 70 per cent in three months, which provides scope for looting.
Referring to the plunge in the stock market, Suranjit said he is hopeful that the affected people will get some remedy as the ministers had taken up the matter.
Suranjit asked the bank owners and giant investors in the share market to bring back the amount of money they had withdrawn from the market. 'We will not ask you to return the money. We just say please bring back the amount to market. It will benefit the people.'
Earlier, the deputy leader of the house, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, asked the opposition to join the discussion in the Parliament.
'Discussions can take place in Suhrawarday Udyan or in the Parliament. If you love democracy, come to the Parliament and join the discussion. We will do what is good for the state and the people.'
'Ascertain whether or not your activities will go against the country and people. The responsibility of ensuring the continuation of democracy is both yours and ours,' she warned.
Source : New Age
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