BNP demands dissolution of parliament*****

Opposition BNP Thursday demanded immediate dissolution of parliament and electing a constituent assembly for amending the constitution which the government has mooted, reports UNB. It alleged that the government in a planned way orchestrated the share market scam to destroy the national economy and thus turn Bangladesh to an ineffective state. It also demanded that the masterminds of share market scam be brought to the dock and adequate compensation be given to small investors. The demands were raised from a rally in front the BNP central office at Nayapaltan this afternoon, organized as part of the countywide demonstration against the share market scam. Scheduled at Muktangon the rally was shifted to Nayapaltan due to the restriction imposed on holding rally there. Addressing the rally BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the government has no authority to amend the constitution. It should go for constituent assembly that would amend the constitution. Without people's verdict the constitution could not be amended. Alamgir cautioned the government against obstructing them in holding rallies. He vowed to hold rally at Muktangon on May 9 as scheduled to raise the demand for midterm election. Returning to the hot issue of share market scam the BNP leader asked the government to return Tk 850 billion (85,000 crore) plundered from stock market and transferred the money abroad. The money should be brought back and deposited with the state coffer. MK Anwar said 60 persons involved in the share market scam are all leaders of the Awami League (AL) at different levels. He was critical of the Finance Minister for his refusal to disclose the names mentioned in the probe report. He questioned why election to the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) is not held although it was due long ago. He asked the government to give midterm election to test its popularity. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain alleged the links of Finance Minister, Bangladesh Bank, Securities and Exchange Commission and Stock Exchanges with the share market scam.