DHAKA: BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed MP said the party would join the special committee formed for processing the constitutional amendment if there be equal representation from the opposition.

He told a press conference at his chamber Saturday that without equal number of representative on the committee, the amendment would not be acceptable to the nation.

The former law minister reaffirmed his party line that it is not impossible to return to the 1972 constitution as stated by the ruling-party leaders.

 Moudud Ahmed said, “ The government’s promptness to this effect seems to be mysterious and a distant conspiracy.”  

He noted that if to return to the 1972 constitution, socialism and secularism have to be incorporated again in the constitution.

Besides, he said, the rules on establishing good relations with the Muslim countries and the provision for declaring emergency will not be in the constitution.
                        
While billing as historic the judgment on the fifth amendment, Barrister Moudud Ahmed found out a paradox in the government stand. He said: “The government is wanting multiparty democracy and independence of the judiciary but trying to return to BAKSAL politics erasing the fifth amendment that preserves democracy.”
   
He further said the 1972 constitution determined the maximum service age of judges as 60. “The judges who are now over 60 years of age will be in uncertainty about their service.”
 
BDST/ 1430 HRS, JULY 24, 2010