'Unconstitutional, unrealistic': GM Quader urges people to vote 'No' in referendum
The Jatiya Party chairman questions the logic of placing such a complex constitutional issue before the public as a simple “Yes” or “No” choice. “Presenting such matters to ordinary people at the village level in this manner is strange and absurd,” he says.
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader has urged people, including party leaders and activists, to vote "No" in the upcoming referendum, calling it "unconstitutional, unrealistic, and a threat to political stability".
He made the call Today (20 January) while announcing the party's candidate list at a press conference held at the Grand Palace Hotel in the capital.
Quader said the interim government took oath as a constitutional government and pledged to protect and uphold the constitution. "However, there is no constitutional provision to bring a complex issue like amending the constitution through a referendum."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"Under the constitution, only an elected parliament can amend it through a prescribed process," he added.
Describing the referendum as impractical, the Jatiya Party chairman questioned the logic of placing such a complex constitutional issue before the public as a simple "Yes" or "No" choice. "Presenting such matters to ordinary people at the village level in this manner is strange and absurd."
He doubts whether those who proposed the referendum fully understand the issue.
Expressing concern over the proposed constitutional reforms, Quader warned that their implementation could paralyse the country. "It is not possible to run the state by stripping the chief executive or prime minister of effective authority."
"In the name of preventing authoritarianism, if a powerless government is created, how will the country function?" he asked.
Quader further said power should be restrained through accountability, not by completely taking it away. "If a government is made powerless, it will not be able to function. Such a government will not last even a few days, political stability will be destroyed, and the country will move towards ruin."
He also criticised the reform process for excluding political parties like the Jatiya Party, despite their long experience in parliamentary and constitutional matters. "Our opinions were not taken into account," he said.
Making his party's position clear, Quader said the Jatiya Party will reject the referendum. "We will vote 'No' and encourage people to vote 'No' in the interest of the country and the people."
He claimed that the referendum process does not allow for a genuine reflection of public opinion and said it should be scrapped in the interest of the rule of law, political stability, and safeguarding the country.
