Article 70 of constitution has crippled parliamentary system: GM Quader

Article 70 of the constitution has crippled the parliamentary system of government as MPs cannot vote against the party's decision as they will lose their membership in the Jatiya Sangsad if they do that, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader said today.

Quader, also deputy leader of the opposition, said due to Article 70, dictatorship or autocracy has been established in the parliament.

"In 1990, HM Ershad handed over power in line with the formula of coalition of the three alliance. But in 1991, institutional dictatorship was established in the country by changing the presidential system of government in the name of establishing parliamentary democracy," he said.

The head of the party with the majority becomes the head of the government and s/he is all in all. Membership in parliament of a lawmaker will be scrapped if they say anything going beyond the party's decision, the JP chairman said while addressing a joint meeting of Jatiya Sramik Party at his Banani office.

According to Article 70, a person elected as a member of parliament at an election at which he was nominated as a candidate by a political party shall vacate his seat if he -- (a) resigns from that party ; or (b) votes in parliament against that party.

GM Quader said Jatiya Party is the most promising political force in Bangladesh.

Mentioning that while it is true that Awami League has carried out many development activities as the party remains in power for long, Quader said that at the same time, the ruling party has caused sufferings and difficulties for people.

GM Quader also said that BNP has been suffering extremely from leadership crisis, adding that BNP leaders and activists have become frustrated while the countrymen are also disappointed with the party.

"In such a reality, Jatiya Party remains the only political force with people's trust. People are looking at the Jatiya Party. People want the Jatiya Party to be stronger and run the country by achieving majority in the elections," he added.