Opposition MPs decide on joining JS today

Lawmakers of main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies Jama'at-e-Islami and Bangla-desh Jatiya Party (Monju) (BJP) will sit today (Monday) to decide about their return to ongoing session of parliament, reports UNB. Leader of the Opposition and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will preside over the meeting to be held at Sangsad Bhaban at 4.0 pm. Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque announced it at a press briefing held at the parliament media centre Sunday. Replying to a question he said they are not going to parliament to protect their membership but to raise the problems being faced by the people and the country. He said the opposition lawmakers have submitted notices on different national issues to discuss in parliament. The issues include hanging of Felani's body from the barbed-wire fence at the border, killing of innocent Bangladeshi nationals by Indian BSF, agreement with Indian Exim Bank, price hike of essential commodities, worsening law and order situation, share market debacle and miseries of Bangladeshi workers in Libya. The opposition chief whip said effectiveness of parliament and atmosphere will depend on the ruling party's behaviour. Zainul Abdin came down heavily on a report of a parliamentary subcommittee published in some national dailies which accused Khaleda Zia's younger brother Shamim Eskandar of committing corruption in Biman Bangladesh Airlines. He said the sub-committee investigated corruption in Biman Bangladesh for the last 18 years sidetracking the Awami League regime. The report also accused former President HM Ershad, former state minister for civil aviation Mir Nasir and Shamim Eskandar. The opposition chief whip said Shamim Eskandar had a job in Biman but had not been on any committee of purchase. He was not involved in any purchase and sale of the institution. He said Shamim Eskandar has been charged with corruption with political motive as he is the brother of Khaleda Zia. He strongly condemned the report and asked the government and the parliamentary standing committee to unearth the real information relating to corruption. Zainul Abdin said parliamentary sub-committee did not co-opt any member from the opposition.