Parliament on Monday witnessed a debate as question was raised over Jatiya Party’s stance simultaneously in the treasury and opposition benches.
The debate resumed when independent lawmaker Rustom Ali Faraji questioned the role of opposition Jatiya Party that shared the cabinet of the present government.
The independent lawmaker took the floor on a point of order after question-answer hour. He said there in no instance anywhere in the world to be a part of the treasury and the opposition benches together.Referring to the Article 70 of the Constitution, Faraji said when a bill would be placed before the House the JP ministers would not be able to oppose it.
“During the placing of a bill, the JP ministers have to go out of Parliament otherwise they would lose their posts,” he observed.
The independent lawmaker also questioned whether the government belongs to grand alliance or AL or represents national government or government of consensus.
Jatiya Party leader and State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu said assured the independent lawmaker that they would resign from minister ship if the government takes stance against the democracy and interest of the people.
He said they are aware as to how they deal in accordance with the Article 70 of the Constitution.
“If the government takes anti-democratic and anti-people stances, we will lodge protest, stage walkouts and tender resignation from minister ship. But we will not boycott the House like the previous opposition,” he said.
The JP leader said there is no legal bar for the opposition lawmakers to join the cabinet.
He also claimed that there are instances in Israel and Germany to share power with the government side by side staying in the opposition bench.
Chunnu justified that they took part in the January 5 parliamentary polls to maintain continuity of democracy and restore peace and stability in the country.
“We will play constructive role to make Parliament functional and effective one,” he added.
Minister for Agriculture and Awami League leader Matia Chowdhury urged the opposition lawmakers to play constructive role to make Parliament effective and requested the independent lawmaker not to provoke opposition against the government.
She thanked the opposition leader for her decision to participate the elections.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was presiding over the sitting of the day.
Later, some lawmakers took part in general discussion on thanks-giving motion on the address of the President. – STAFF REPORTER
