No option but movement: Jamaat Ameer after walkout

Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman has hinted at launching a movement regarding constitutional reform based on the referendum results.

Speaking after a walkout from the National Parliament session on Wednesday, April 1, he said, "What else do we have to do but launch a movement?" Accusing the law minister of distorting his remarks, he said the 11-party alliance would decide on a programme of movement in its meeting.

Speaking at a press conference at the parliament media centre, the Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer clarified they had walked out, not boycotted parliament. Whether the opposition would return to parliament would be decided on Thursday.

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain and Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis MP Pirzada Hanjalah were also present at the press conference.

The opposition alleged at the press conference that the BNP had moved away from implementing the referendum verdict after coming to power by proposing the referendum.

According to the referendum results, the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order called for convening a Constitutional Reform Council session. A discussion on the opposition leader's adjournment motion regarding this was held in parliament on Tuesday.

Following Tuesday's discussion, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed proposed forming a 'Special Constitutional Amendment Committee' on behalf of the prime minister. The opposition leader proposed forming a 'Constitutional Reform Committee' with equal representation from the government and opposition. Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said equal representation was not possible.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman accused the law minister of distorting his remarks. He said the opposition sought reform, not amendment of the constitution. "The people have called for constitutional reform in the referendum. The opposition did not accept the constitutional amendment committee."

After the question-answer session on Wednesday, the opposition sought a decision on the proposal. The opposition leader noted the speaker had said only three adjournment motions had been accepted in the past. The opposition's adjournment motion was concluded in Tuesday's discussion. The speaker had requested they not walk out.

When asked why the Jamaat-NCP alliance walked out despite the speaker's request, the opposition leader said, "Since we could not implement the referendum verdict in parliament, we will take the people's demands to the people."

After independent MP Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, BNP MP Zainul Abedin Faruk brought an adjournment motion on the July Charter on Wednesday. In the 53-year parliamentary history, this is the first time a ruling party has brought an adjournment motion. The speaker scheduled discussion on it for April 5.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman said, "This notice was brought to suppress public sentiment. We have protested that as well."

The opposition leader stood on a point of order, announced the walkout, and left the parliament chamber with opposition members. Earlier, the opposition had walked out on the first day of the parliament session on February 12 in protest against the president's address.