Culture of parliament boycott threat to democracy
December 27, 2009
Two high-profile leaders of Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at a BBC dialogue yesterday said article 70 of the constitution, which is known as the ‘Anti-Defection Law’, is imperative to “ensure discipline within the party”.
Standing committee member of BNP Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and AL presidium member Matia Chowdhury, also agriculture minister, said the culture of boycotting parliamentary session should come to an end, as it is threat to democracy.
They also called on the political leaders to bring an end to the culture of disbelief and confrontational as well as revengeful attitude of the parties.
According to the article, “The seat of a parliament member shall vacate if he votes against the party that nominated him as a candidate in the election whereby he became parliament member.”
This single provision provides the prime minister with exclusive power over the members of his/her party.
The two leaders said this as the panellists at the BBC Bangladesh Sanglap styled ‘Democracy’ held at South Plaza Complex of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the city.
Two other panellists include former adviser to a caretaker government Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader and band singer Maqsoodul Haque.
Audience at the programme sharply criticised both the ruling and opposition parties for their mistrust, distance and disrespect to each other that, according to them, “paved the way for military as well as undemocratic rule”.
Replying to a question, Matia said: “Article 70 of the constitution is a must in the context of our country where political leaders can be bought or sold using muscle power or money.
The will be no discipline inside the political party once article 70 is amended,” she said.
Echoing Matia, her counterpart Mosharraf said, “Our country and democracy is not in a position to lift article 70.”
“But I believe someday will come when article 70 will not be needed and it would be lifted from our constitution.”
Quader and Maqsood strongly supported the opinions of the audience, saying that article 70 must be deleted from the constitution for the sake of strong democracy.
On parliament boycott issue, the BNP leader said this culture must be avoided for the sake of democracy.
Culture of boycotting parliament is also a threat to democracy and it is not acceptable in democracy,” he said, adding: “We should get rid of this culture. BBC’s Mithila Farzana moderated the dialogue.”
Source: thedailystar.net
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