Consider bail to Anwar, Bulu: Speaker

Shirin Sharmin Choudhury

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Choudhury on Saturday requested the court to consider granting bail to two opposition lawmakers so that they can participate in the upcoming budget session of parliament beginning Monday.

“It is court's jurisdiction. The matter will be settled through legal process," she said. "But as Speaker, I humbly call upon the court if it can grant bail to the duo.”

The Speaker was talking to reporters after a programme of Lion’s Club at a city hotel.

Replying to a query, Shirin said the opposition deputies would be able to speak in parliament and place their demands once they return to the House.

She also said anything can be discussed inside the House.

“And in that case, I will be able to play a role. But if the dialogue takes place outside the parliament, the government and the opposition in that case will have to take initiative,” she added.

The eighteenth session of the parliament begins on June 3. The BNP-led opposition lawmakers will have to return to parliament to save their membership as all of them have been absent in parliament sessions for over 83 days on an average.

According to the constitution, a MP will lose his/her membership if he/she remains absent in parliament for 90 consecutive days without permission from the Speaker.