SC verdict cites Zia's grabbing state power
Says Quader, slates BNP's silence about it
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday claimed the BNP's silence on the 16th amendment verdict proved that the party acknowledged the illegal grabbing of power by its founder Ziaur Rahman.
“The Supreme Court verdict mentioned that Ziaur Rahman had illegally usurped the state power. But the BNP didn't make any comment about the judgment. So, it seems the party has admitted Zia seized state power illegally,” he said.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said this while handing out relief materials to the flood victims in Saidpur upazila stadium area.
Passed in 2014, the 16th constitutional amendment had restored parliament's powers to remove Supreme Court judges for misconduct or incapacity. The High Court last year had declared the amendment illegal and the decision was upheld by the SC on July 3 this year.
The apex court released the full verdict in the case on Aug 1.
The AL general secretary assured flood victims that the government would stay beside them until they were rehabilitated.
“I am giving you the assurance that distribution of relief goods will continue, medical teams will continue working and the flood victims will be rehabilitated.... We'll always be beside you.”
Quader said they came to flood-hit areas not to do a photo session, but to stay beside the victims like they did in the past.
He said many BNP leaders visited the affected areas, but they “gave nothing” to the victims.
“The BNP leaders didn't go to haor and coastal areas. They went to hilly areas, but staged a drama and returned [to capital] midway through the tour.”
The minister said BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir went to Saidpur and returned after “doing a photo session”.
“Even after that, I want to express my thanks to Mirza Fakhrul as he came to his area and met the flood-hit people,” he added.
AL advisory council member Satish Chandra Roy, Joint General Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, organising secretaries BM Mozammel Haque and Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Relief and Social Welfare Affairs Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi and lawmaker Golam Mostafa (Nilphamari-3) were present.