BNP’s tirade against govt over judge removal bill continues

Abbas suggests the judge who called PM wrong-headed one to leave country

 Keeping up their attack on the government, BNP leaders on Thursday alleged that the current regime has an ill-motive behind its move to empower parliament to remove Supreme Court judges.

 “This is an illegal government…even then it has taken the initiative to empower an unrepresentative parliament to remove judges. It’s a conspiracy…not only the judiciary but also other organizations, including the Election Commission and the Public Service Commission are related with the bill. If it’s passed, the judges won’t be able to work independently,” said Mirza Abbas, convener of BNP’s Dhaka city unit.

He said this while addressing a demonstration programme at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital organised by Dhaka city unit BNP in protest against the proposed 16th amendment to the constitution.

Abbas, also a member of BNP standing committee, said, “What will happen to the judge who called this prime minister a wrong-headed one? I don’t know whether the judge is in the country or not? If you’re in the country, please leave soon.”

“No matter what laws and regulations you’re formulating, it’s sure nothing will go unchallenged. We’ll wage a non-violent movement,” he added.

Asking the party leaders and activists who were chanting slogans, Abbas said, “Keep all the slogans deposited and chant those slogans on right time.”

About the Prime Minister’s statement over hartal, Abbas said, “The Prime Minister has said if people want then a law would be formulated banning hartal. I’ll say people do not want you. You leave office.”

Another party standing committee member Rafiqul Islam Miah said the government has taken the initiative to amend the constitution to establish its full control over the judiciary. “People have to raise voice against this and the government would be ousted through a movement.”

He said all the constitutional experts, including Dr Kamal Hossain, Amirul Islam and senior lawyers, took position against the government’s move and they protested it.

BNP vice-chairman Selima Rahman, BNP chairperson’s adviser Dr Osman Faruk, among others, addressed the demonstration programme.

Source: UNB