Dr Kamal Hossain

An eminent jurist and one of the pioneers of the Constitution of Bangladesh ,which was written in 1972, Dr Kamal Hossain says that with the passage of time and with the experience that Bangladeshis have had some vital changes in the constitution may be necessary.

 In an exclusive interview with VOA Bangla Service Kamal Hossain said that there is a highly disproportionate distribution of power and jurisdiction between the Prime Minister and the President of the republic.

Asked if Bangladesh was thinking of reverting to the Presidential form of government , Dr Hossain categorically said No . He however said that under the present parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is all powerful while the President is practically a lame duck. He cited some of the recent examples of how the previous Prime Minister has abused her absolute power.

Dr Kamal Hossain was answering questions in reference to recent comments made by the Bangladeshi Army Chief Lt General Moeen U Ahmed on the political system of Bangladesh . Lt Ahmed said that Bangladesh had had experience both with Presidential and Parliamentary forms of government and now they need to have their “ own brand of democracy.”