Spl panel on constitutional amendment formed at JS; opposition walks out

A special parliamentary committee on constitutional amendment was formed in the Parliament on Monday amid the opposition’s walkout. Some other parliamentary committees were also formed on the day.

Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam Moni proposed a 17-member committee in the House, leaving five seats vacant for opposition lawmakers. The proposal was passed in voice vote. However, rejecting the arrangement, the opposition staged a walkout from the House.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has been made the chief of this high-powered committee. Names of 12 members out of the17-member body was revealed in the House.

Expressing severe dissatisfaction over the structure and distribution of seats for the opposition, Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman argued that the special committee can’t be formed for constitutional amendment.

The lawmakers were elected not only for the National Parliament, but also for forming the Constitutional Assembly and reforming the constitution.  

Shafiqur said that the ruling majority was attempting to dominate the constitutional reform process unilaterally.

Declaring that they would not participate in the committee, the opposition members staged a walkout, leaving the five designated seats vacant.

However, the treasury bench members defended the move, urging the opposition to reconsider their stance and join the dialogue.

The special committee is designed to review existing constitutional frameworks and propose amendments aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and balancing state powers, the ruling party lawmakers claimed.