Rangpur-4 MP Akhter Hossen has said that calling the people’s verdict on the referendum unconstitutional will tarnish the National Parliament, as he questioned the shifting stance of ruling party leaders who had earlier supported the July Charter implementation.
Speaking during the discussion on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order under Rule 62 at the first session of parliament on Tuesday afternoon, the opposition lawmaker said many are now claiming the referendum order was not law but unconstitutional.
“Where the people have given their verdict in favour of this order through the referendum, calling the people’s verdict unconstitutional will tarnish this parliament,” Akhter Hossen said.
The discussion was initiated by opposition leader Md Shafiqur Rahman, who raised an adjournment motion on the matter.
Akhter Hossen recalled the political vacuum following the fall of the previous government in August, noting that there was no government from 5 August to 8 August. He questioned by which constitutional provision the current law minister was appointed as attorney general during that period.
“There is no description of an interim government anywhere in the Constitution of Bangladesh,” he said.
The MP noted that a consensus commission was formed during the interim government period, where over 30 political parties and alliances engaged in extensive discussions. He pointed out that several current government lawmakers, including Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, were present in those discussions.
“Today’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on 5 October that every member of Parliament must accept the verdict that comes from the people through the referendum. Why is he not steadfast in his words now?” Akhter Hossen questioned.
He also noted that the current law minister was a member of the expert panel formed to implement the constitutional reform order and had provided advice on the process.
“Today, after becoming law minister from the path of attorney general, he has changed his position and forgotten everything,” Akhter Hossen said.
The MP recalled that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had stood in Rangpur on 30 January and urged the public to say yes in the referendum. “After saying ‘please say yes in the referendum,’ why do they now not want to accept responsibility?” he asked.
Akhter Hossen argued that Article 152 of the Constitution clearly states that an order can also be law, dismissing claims that the order was unconstitutional.
“Whether that ordinance is approved in this parliament or not, according to factual validity, the referendum that was held under that ordinance—there is no scope to declare that referendum invalid,” he said.
