Govt violated Constitution, accuses AL

The constitution and the Rules of Procedures do not entitle the government to form such 'incomplete' standing committees, a presidium meeting of the AL observed quoting Article 246 of the Rules of Procedures of parliament.

Leader of the opposition and party chief Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting at the Dhanmondi office in the city.

The meeting said the government neither discussed committee formations with the opposition nor did inform them of the moves.

The unilateral decision of the government also violates an UNDP-funded agreement made during the previous AL rule when both the AL and BNP had agreed to accommodate standing committee members proportionately, the resolution said.

"By taking this decision, the present government has once again proved that they are unwilling to make the House effective and has forced the opposition out of the House," the meeting said.

The presidium meeting criticised the government for remaining silent about the recovery of bodies after the Chandpur launch disaster and demanded immediate resignation of the minister concerned.

The meeting decided to participate in the Netrokona-3 constituency's by-polls to be held on August 21.

The meeting said the AL will contest the election as part of its movement against the government and urged other democratic parties, social forces and professionals to unite against the "autocratic" government at the by-polls.