PM meets president

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met President Abdul Hamid at the Bangabhaban yesterday and discussed the overall flood situation and the Supreme Court verdict in the 16th amendment case, among other issues.

Law Minister Anisul Huq, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and Attorney General Mahbubey Alam were also present there.

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During the hour-long meeting last night, discussions took place about the apex court verdict and also about Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Anisul told The Daily Star.

In reply to a query, he said no decision was made on the issues.

Emerging from the meeting, Quader, also general secretary of the Awami League, told journalists, "We conveyed to the president the government and the party's stance on the verdict."

Asked whether any decision was made at the meeting, Quader said, "No… There will be more discussions."

He, however, said he would talk about the issues later.

Talking to this newspaper, Mahbubey said the meeting was a routine one. He declined to speak further.

Earlier, the PM reached the Bangabhaban around 7:30pm, and the president received her, reports BSS.

Passed in 2014, the 16th amendment to the constitution restored parliament's powers to remove SC judges for misconduct or incapacity.

Last year, the High Court in a verdict declared the 16th amendment illegal and the SC upheld it on July 3 this year. The apex court released the full judgment on August 1.

Since then, the AL has been criticising some observations made by the CJ in the verdict. Food Minister Qamrul Islam even demanded his removal.

The law minister said the government would file a review petition.

On Monday, Quader went to the Bangabhaban and conveyed to the president the party's stance on the verdict.

Shortly before his arrival, the CJ had left the Bangabhaban after exchanging Janmashtami greetings with the president.

Earlier on Saturday, Quader held talks with the CJ at the latter's official residence on Hare Road. From there, he went to the Gono Bhaban to meet the PM.