Law Minister: Jatiya Party to get priority if independent MPs stay separated

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq said the Jatiya Party (JaPa) will get priority as the opposition in the parliament if the independent candidates who won in the 12th national election do not join any party.

“We will have to wait for some more time to be fully sure of the position of the independent MPs-elect,” Anisul Huq told reporters at his Secretariat office on Tuesday.

“To be the opposition, you have to have at least 10% of the seats in parliament,” the law minister said.

Asked whether the independent MPs-elect could form a group, Anisul Huq said: “Why not? If they think they will form their own group instead of being with the government, of course they can do that.”

Replying to a query about his reaction to the United States' statement that the 12th national election was not fair and participatory, the law minister said: “We have always said that the election is fair and participatory when people cast their votes.

“You all saw that people cast their votes during this election, and they participated with their full support,” he added.

Anisul Huq said: “People have recognized this election as participatory. I don't think we need anyone else’s recognition.”

Source: UNB