DHAKA: Main opposition BNP readily rejected the all-party parliamentary committee for amending the constitution as unconstitutional, saying that the ruling party didn’t go by the parliament’s law book.

“Forming the committee contravenes clause 76 of the rules of procedure,” said BNP Secretary-General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, shortly before the announcement of formation of a 15-member ‘constitution commission’ came from parliament Wednesday.

He made the remarks at a press conference at the BNP central office in capital’s Naya Paltan. The briefing was arranged following a letter issued by chief whip Abdus Shahid to Khaleda Zia, Leader of the Opposition and BNP chief, seeking representative for the committee.   

The opposition party ceased from sending any nomination of member for the parliamentary commission for constitution amendment, a major task the government took up following the Supreme Court verdict invalidating the constitution fifth amendment that had ratified the changes brought in the country’s political spectrum through the 1975 coups and counter-coups.  

The BNP leader agreed that the constitution could be changed in great national interest, “but not in the interest of a party”.

Delwar, also a lawyer by profession, contended that the Supreme Court can take initiative towards amending the constitution but cannot give direction for the amendment.  

He found this move as an AL poly to perpetuate its power.

Delwar told the journalists at the briefing that the ruling party actually does not want to induct any representative from BNP in the committee.  

Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had said that a committee would be formed to amend the constitution as per the verdict of the High Court declaring the Fifth Amendment illegal, which was later affirmed by the Supreme Court.

She also informed that an all-party committee would be formed soon and the committee would decide how the constitution would be reconstituted.

The then late President Ziaur Rahman brought the amendment in the constitution in 1979, providing for some basic changes in the state fundamentals.

MK Anwar, Member of BNP Standing Committee, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Senior Joint-Secretary-General, and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, among others, attended the press meet.

BDST: 1850 HRS, JULY 21, 2010