PM’s meeting with president over 16th amendment verdict ‘unprecedented’: BNP

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today termed the meeting of the prime minister with the president over 16th amendment verdict as “unprecedented” and accused the government of hatching conspiracy to “snatch independence of the judiciary”.

Fakhrul came up with remarks while addressing a programme in Dhaka this afternoon, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met President Abdul Hamid at the Bangabhaban and discussed the overall flood situation and the Supreme Court verdict in the 16th amendment case, among other issues.

“We have got stunned after the meeting held with President Abdul Hamid over the 16th amendment verdict. It was not supposed to be held. It is unprecedented,” Fakhrul said.

The Supreme Court in its verdict has declared the 16th amendment to the constitution illegal while the government has taken stand against it, the BNP leader said expressing strong condemnation over such move.

Calling upon his party men to be vocal against the government stance, Fakhrul said, “Conspiracy is being hatched again to destroy the country’s democracy.”

Alongside BNP, the people from all political parties, socio-cultural organisation, civil society members should come forward to protect the country, its constitution and democracy, he said.