The main opposition Jatiya Party (JaPa) yesterday decided that it would, in principle, oppose the 16th constitution amendment bill that would authorise the legislature to impeach the judges of the Supreme Court for misconduct, charter violation or incapability.
While discussing its role in the third session starting today, the JaPa decided that it would examine the bill thoroughly and walk out of the House, if necessary, to protest the government decision on judges impeachment and the national broadcast policy.
The JaPa is very conservative in violent protest in the assembly and hardly stages walkouts since it started playing the role of opposition since 1991.
During the last 23 years, JaPa staged at best 10 walkouts and never boycotted the parliament. They staged the only walkout on March 23 in the two sessions of the current 10th parliament.
“We have decided to oppose the bill (the 16th constitution amendment) in principle, as the opposition parties do. After getting the copy of the bill we will examine every proposal and strongly oppose. Even we would walkout, if necessary,” Tajul Islam Chowdhury, the chief whip of the opposition, told the Dhaka Tribune after the meeting at the parliament building.
But, he said his party would also support the government if the bill contained something good.
“Our ideal position is to oppose the bill and the national broadcast policy,” Mashiur Rahman Ranga, state minister for local government, told the Dhaka Tribune.
In parliamentary practices, a minister cannot oppose a government decision as the decisions are collective in nature.
The government decides to restore the original article 96 of the constitution that authorised parliament to impeach the judges with a two-third majority. After the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Gen Ziaur Rahman introduced a new mechanism, the Supreme Judicial Council that is the authorised body to impeach the judges for offence and charter violation and incapability.
Chief justice is the head of the council having two senior judges as its members.
AKM Mayeedul Islam, another lawmaker, told the Dhaka Tribune the JaPa opposed the government decision to hold talks with the stakeholders while implementing the national broadcast policy.
