\\\'Opinion from out-of-JS parties to be sought\\\'

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law Ministry Suranjit Sengupta said Monday opinion of political parties outside parliament will also be sought on the proposed 16th amendment to the constitution, reports UNB.  
"The draft bill will come to me as chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law Ministry. I'll also call those (parties) that are outside parliament, seeking their opinions. If BNP wants, they too can give its opinion," he said.
The ruling Awami League (AL) wants to bring the 16th amendment to the constitution, aiming to restore the authority of parliament to impeach Supreme Court (SC) judges.
Mr Sengupta, also an advisory council member of the ruling AL, said this while addressing a discussion meeting organised by Bangabandhu Academy at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in the city.
Apart from amending the constitution, a law will be needed to impeach judges, Mr Sengupta said adding that all confusions will be removed once the law is enacted.
Mr Sengupta welcomed Jatiya Party's (JP) move to withdraw its ministers from the cabinet saying that if the party does so it would help save parliamentary democracy.
"They (JP) will be able to emerge as the real opposition and gain the confidence of people. Then BNP would lose its importance as the opposition on the streets.
According to press reports, JP of former military ruler HM Ershad has decided in principle to quit the government to be a real opposition.
Awami League Dhaka city unit vice-president Foyez Uddin Mia, among others, spoke at the meeting held with Bangabandhu Academy leader Nazir Mia in the chair.
Menwhile, Eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain said Monday a national-level dialogue is needed to amend the constitution to restore parliament's authority to impeach Supreme Court (SC) judges.
"A national-level dialogue is essential to amend the constitution to give back parliament its authority to impeach judges. There's a need for assessing public opinion at district level apart from the opinions of political parties," he said.
Dr Kamal Hossain, also the president of Gonoforum, said this while addressing a discussion meeting, titled 'Amendment to the constitution, the impeachment of judges and its consequences.  Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujon) organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club.
The Gonoforum president said, "We'll have to assess the public opinion whether people at all levels want any amendment to the charter in this regard. We can't always accept what the cabinet says. We don't want such an amendment that takes only four days."
The ruling Awami League wants to bring the 16th amendment to the constitution, aiming to restore the authority of parliament to impeach Supreme Court judges.