The question of general discussion in Parliament on the High Court ruling on the Speaker regarding resignations of 147 opposition MPs was disposed of by the House yesterday since the treasury bench members declined to discuss it.

Speaker Shaikh Razzak All allowed Nurul Islam Monl to speak on hfs notice submitted earlier for a general discussion on the jurisdiction of the court — whether it Is empowered Io issue a rule on the Speaker on the resignations of MPs

"I think there is no barrier to allowing the honourable member to speak on the matter according to the Rules of Procedure although the law minister had earlier raised ob-lectlon " Razzak Aft said.

"But the honourable member should keep in mind that Ills speech should not hurt any Judge or disturb the process of the case. You will just speak on the Jurisdiction of the court." the Speaker said.

He came to the House after a brief adjournment of the session by Deputy Speaker Humayun Khan Panni. The session resumed yesterday at 4 pm. one hour behind schedule, due to lack of quorum.

Four bills were tabled on-the day.

Die decision on whether the House would discuss the issue of HC ruling was kept pending, sinee Monday's session in which the treasury bench was sharply divided over it. One group including ruling

party Chief whip Khandakar Deiwar Hossain supported the proposal for a discussion while the other including Law Minister Mirza Golam Hafiz apposed it.

Taking the floor yesterday. Nurul Islam Moni first read out his notice in which he said he believes the HC ruling has infringed the sovereignty of Parliament.

"The Speaker is the guardian of the House. He is hot an individual but an institution. Issuance of a rule on the Speaker amounts. to issuing rule on the 330 MPs." the notice said.

The judiciary is one of the organs of the state. Moni said, adding iss u.nce of rule by pre organ on the chief of another organ is' highly regrettable.

He said this Parliament should determine the jurisdiction of the court. The House should take a decision on whether or not We should make politics dependent to the court, he said.

This Parliament would ask the Speaker, not the court, to give a decision on thf opposition MPs resignations. So Parliament should discuss the matter and take a decision. he proposed in his notice, submilted under Section 147 of t lie Rules of Procedure.

Moni supported his notice by saying we are now accused in the eye of the court.'

The court has infringed the authority of Parliament and the Speaker given by the Constitution. Wh^n the Speaker was carrying out his constitutional responsibilities, the court obstructed it by issuing the rule, he added

He also termed the HC rui Ing premature and contradic tory '

"It Is premature because It is issued without any cause of action and it is contradictory Io the rules issued by the same HC bench on the chiefs of the parliamentary parties Moni said.

He cited various clauses and sections of relevant rules to justify his contention

Chief whjp Deiwar Hossain

was conspicuously absent during yesterday’s session but the law minister was present. •

When Moni was about to finish his speech, works minister Rafiqul Islam Mia took the floor and said It was time for break for Esha prayer.

The Speaker was going to adjourn the session for 20 minutes but ruling party Whip Mahbubul Alam Tara said the MPs would have to go for Tarabi prayer also as the Ramadan has begun.

The Speaker then asked whether any other MP is interested to discuss the issue. In response, most of the treasury bench members including Abdus Salam Talukder nodded their heads indicating disinterest.

The Speaker then declared the mati:r Is disposed of since the MPs declined to take part in the discussion The session was adjourned at 5-50 pm till 11 am today.

According to Section 147 of the Rules of Procedure, there will be no resolution unless the House discusses a matter.

Meanwhile ruling party sources said that the "party high command had decided not to discuss the matteri in the House following the difference of opinion on it on Monday. The party's original decision was to discuss the matter to enable the Speaker to give his decision on the MPs resignations despite the ruling by the HC.

A High Court bench tn a ruling on January 18. asked the Speaker to explain, within seven days why actions would not be taken as required by the Constitution regarding the resignation letters ot 147 opposl tlon MPs The court also asked the Speaker to restrain from giving any decision on the mat ter The Speaker did not reply to the rule

The MPs belonging to the Awami League the Jatiya Party the Jamaat e lalami and the NDP submitted their resigns tion letters to the Speaker on December 28

A special liench of the HC la now hearing the matter