Moudud backs proposal for fine

BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed yesterday said his party supported the proposal of a ruling party MP to fine lawmakers for using abusive words in parliament.
He was addressing a meeting at Jatiya Press Club on "Indian Container Terminal at Narayanganj: In Whose Interests?" organised by pro-BNP platform Free Thinkers' Forum.
Awami League lawmaker Junaid Ahmed Palak on Monday urged the Speaker to impose on a lawmaker a fine of Tk 30,000 for each word or expression she expunged.
The Speaker could also keep the guilty party from entering the House for one day, Palak added.
Moudud said the Speaker had given a ruling on Sunday in order that MPs stopped using vulgar words but ruling party lawmakers kept on using them regardless.
He said the opposition had joined parliament with high hopes but did not get a chance to discuss national issues such as Tipaimukh dam and the setting up of the Indian terminal at Narayanganj.
Indian foreign ministry has uploaded a tender notice about the terminal on their website. The BNP brought up the issue in parliament but they were not “given the right answer”, the BNP leader alleged.
Referring to the Gazipur City Corporation elections, Moudud said the prime minister had violated electoral rules by forcing AL rebel candidate Jahangir Alam to quit the mayoral race in favour of an AL-backed candidate.
The BNP leader criticised the Election Commission for remaining silent over the issue and termed it politically partisan.
He asked the commission to take immediate action against the ruling party to prove its neutrality.
Moudud reiterated that the main opposition would not participate in the next parliamentary elections without a non-party caretaker government.