State minister for information must seek apology: GM Quader

Jatiya Party (JaPa) chairman GM Quader on Saturday said the current constitution of the country is contradictory to democratic practice as it gives all power to a “single person”.

“It’s not possible to practice democracy in line with the current constitution. The constitution is contradictory to democratic practice,” he said.

Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with the leaders of Gaziur city unit of Jatiya Party and its associate bodies at the party chairman’s Banani office in the capital, Quader also said many articles of the constitution need to be amended to ensure democratic practice in Bangladesh.

“No MP from the ruling party can oppose any decision of the government due to Article 70 of the constitution. It helps consolidate all powers in the hands of one person. About 90 per cent of the country’s executive, legislative branches and also judiciary through the president is under the control of the head of government. So, nothing is possible to do going beyond what the head of government wants to,” he observed.

GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said a law must be enacted in accordance with the constitution for the formation of the election commission to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

“The election commission is being formed without a law which is like appointing a referee on behalf of a team in a football game. The election commission will have to be constituted with suitable people as per a law and all powers should be given to it in accordance with the constitution,” the Jatiya Party chief said.

Out of 40 registered political parties, he said only Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party now remain active while the rest have become signboard-only political parties.

GM Quader said BNP chairperson Khaleda is not there in politics after getting out of jail on “bond” while her son, Tarique Rahman, has been convicted and is staying abroad. “There’re serious divisions among the rest of the leaders (of BNP).”

Stating that Awami League is busy running the government and carrying out development activities, he said the ruling party has almost no presence in the field of politics. “But only Jatiya Party is vocal in politics to realise the demands of mass people.

The JaPa chairman has been in politics even after remaining out of state power for 31 years. “Our party is moving forward braving various slanders and conspiracies. The people of the country are frustrated with politics due to the activities of Awami League and BNP. They now want to see the Jatiya Party in power in the coming days.”

He criticised state minister for information Md Murad Hassan for “derogatory comments against Jatiya Party founder HM Ershad and giving the announcement for changing the status of Islam as the state religion of Bangladesh.”

“It’s a nefarious act. He must apologise for this. The state minister has broken his oath to preserve the constitution,” GM Quader said.