STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday slammed the BNP government after staging a walkout in protest against what he described as “anti-people and anti-democratic” laws passed in parliament.

“All of BNP’s rhetoric was about deceiving the people -- they are now heading down the same path of fascism,” he alleged.

At a press conference after the walkout, opposition leaders accused the government of enacting laws that could curtail citizens’ rights, undermine the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction, and weaken the electoral system.

Shafiqur said the opposition was given limited time to raise objections, while ministers were allowed “unlimited time”. “This is not fair,” he added.

He also said government moves on issues such as judicial appointments and an independent secretariat amounted to “executive interference”, which he said contradicts the constitution and court rulings. He criticised local government laws, alleging that institutions were being politicised through the appointment of administrators instead of elected representatives.

At the same briefing, Opposition Chief Whip and NCP Convener Nahid “These

SEE PAGE 4 COL 6