DHAKA: BNP secretary general Khandokar Delwar Hossain said that the government is making an ill attempt to return to the ’72 constitution by forming an all-party committee in the name of bringing constitutional changes.

He made the remark at a rally at Muktangon Saturday in response to ruling Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta’s remark about restoring the ‘72 Constitution and the Prime Minister’s declaration about forming an all-party parliamentary committee for returning to the ‘72 constitution following the Supreme Court verdict canceling the Fifth Amendment.

The BNP leader asked the government to ditch its plan for reverting to the `72 constitution.

Delwar said, ‘It is not possible to return to the ‘72 constitution. No country of the world has gone back to their original constitution.’

He sounded a note of caution that unless the government reversed its move, the government’s `seat of power might be in danger’.   

The rally was organized by Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebok Dal, the volunteers’ wing of BNP, to protest the arrests and demand immediate release of BNP leaders.

Delwar termed “eyewash” the proposal of the Prime Minister to form an all-party committee. He said that earlier the government had formed an all-party parliamentary committee over Tipaimukh Dam, but “ultimately it gave certificate in favour of construction of the dam by India.”

The BNP secretary general said no government can stay in power by resorting to repression on its opponents and the present government also will not be able to do so.

Senior BNP leader MK Anwar, a former bureaucrat, cautioned the government employees against working as cadres of the ruling party.

He alleged that government agencies picked up DCC ward councilor Chowdhury Alam.

Presided over by Swechchhasebok Dal president Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, the rally was also addressed by leaders of BNP and its front and associate organizations including Amanullah Aman, Salahuddin Ahmed, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Abul Khayer Bhuiyan, Abdus Salam, Sarafat Ali Sapu and Shafiul Bari Babu.

BDST: 1340 HRS. July 17, 2010