The 19th session of the ninth Parliament, likely to be the last sitting of the current parliament, will begin tomorrow (Thursday) amid expectation of something dramatic happening to resolve the ongoing political stalemate over the caretaker government issue. President Abdul Hamid summoned the session of the 9th Parliament that will begin at 5:00 pm. This will be the fourth session of Parliament in the current year. Main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was learnt to be still undecided over joining the session. Contacted by UNB over phone, opposition chief whip Zainul Abedin Farroque said “We will let you know our final decision in this regard later.” However, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury urged the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to join the parliament session. Talking to UNB on Wednesday over phone, Dr Shirin Sharmin said the opposition joined the budget session and hoped the party will also join this session. Replying to a query about the BNP’s demand for restoration of the non-partisan government system, the Speaker said: “Any discussion can be held in Parliament in line with the Constitution, if both the ruling party and the opposition party want. “I’ll play my role as the Speaker in the negotiation between the ruling party and the opposition in the parliament as per the rules of procedure.” she said. Dr Shirin Sharmin hoped that the next parliamentary election will be held with the participation of all amid enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif on Wednesday said that his party is ready to compromise to ensure the next parliamentary polls to be fair and participatory. “Awami League is ready to compromise to the extent needed to ensure fair polls and also participation of all political parties,” he said at a press conference at his Karwan Bazar office in the capital. Hanif, also a special assistant to the Prime Minister, said the door is open for holding discussions. “Parliament is the best place for discussion. A session of Parliament will begin tomorrow (Thursday). I hope, BNP will join the session and will place their proposal.” He said: “We’ll wait until the session ends to see whether BNP places its proposal or framework on the polls-time government. Discussion can be held even after the session, if they place any proposal.” On the other hand, BNP said that as the Awami League is the ruling party and has the three-fourths majority, they will have to bring the caretaker government bill in Parliament. The decision of joining Parliament session by the opposition BNP is yet to be decided. “Till now we have not taken any decision to join Parliament,” opposition chief whip Zainul Abedin Farroque said Wednesday afternoon. The 18th session of the ninth parliament was prorogued on July 16 after 24 working days. The last session passed the budget for fiscal 2013-2014. – UNB
