SC verdict a bar to return to '72 charter

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the Supreme Court judgement scrapping the 16th amendment of the constitution was an obstacle to returning to the constitution of 1972.

Speaking at an Awami League Central Working Committee meeting at the Gono Bhaban, she also asked her party MPs to be present in the House and speak about the issue, said meeting sources.

The amendment in question empowers the parliament to remove judges.

The ruling AL lawmakers will talk about the SC judgement in parliament today.

“We wanted to return to the 72's constitution and we were committed to doing so. But there are many people who favour Ziaur Rahman's Supreme Judicial Council," Hasina was quoted by a central committee member as saying.

Mentioning eminent jurists Dr Kamal Hossain and Barrister M Amir-Ul Islam, Hasina said those who claimed to be the architects of the constitution were actually tainting it now, said the meeting sources.    

The HC, in May last year, ruled that the 16th amendment was unconstitutional and illegal as it found the changes went against the principles of the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.

The government filed an appeal with the SC on January 4 this year.

The apex court on July 3 unanimously rejected the appeal and upheld the HC verdict.

At last night's meeting, Hasina also asked her party colleagues to remain alert as the “BNP and Jamaat leaders were spreading propaganda at home and abroad and hatching conspiracies against the government and the country”. She said the BNP and Jamaat were running a negative campaign.

She asked her party leaders to prepare for the 2019 elections.

In her speech, Hasina said the AL needed another term in office to implement the mega projects it has taken up and turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country.

The country's overall development would get a boost on completion of these projects, and Bangladesh would become a country free from hunger and poverty. 

Hasina, also the AL chief, said her party thinks development would continue if it remains in power. The government had been able to continue with the development projects taken during its previous term (2009-2013) as it returned to power in 2014, she added. 

“It's not possible for the people to reap the benefits of development without continuation of the government.”

As the AL has been in power since 2009, she said, the country's GDP reached 7.24 percent and the per capita income touched $1,602.

Bangladesh will celebrate the golden jubilee of its independence in 2021, the PM said.

“Of course, our aim is to celebrate the golden jubilee remaining in power and make the country a developed and prosperous one.”

She said the AL also wants to celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while still in power.  “By the time, we'll free Bangladesh from poverty and hunger and make it a prosperous nation as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.” 

She said people would cast their votes in the next general election as per their choice. 

Terming the AL a symbol of development, she said if it returns to power the country would see development. “Whoever else comes to power, they will unleash widespread looting.” 

Hasina said the decision has to be taken by the people.

About the current flood situation in the country, she said the government ensured enough stock of food so that people don't suffer as it might be a prolonged flood this year.