Maj. (Retd) Aktheruzzaman. expelled from BNP, has once again defended his joining die recent parliament session and claimed that there was no reason behind the Opposition Chief Whip's request for declaring his seat vacant.

If the Speaker wishes he can refer the matter to the Election Commission for a final decision, the lawmaker said yesterday in his reply to the Speaker s letter to him earlier.

BNP expelled Aktheruzzaman from the party on September 14 for joining the parliament session. violating a party decision.

Soon after tills. Opposition Chief Whip Khandaker Delwar Hossain sent a letter to Speaker Humalyun Rashid Chowdhury to declare Akhteruzzaman parliamentary seat vacant.

On October 3. the Speaker sent a letter to Aktheruzzaman along with a copy of the Chief Whip's letter and asked him to reply by October 9.

After receiving the letters, Aktheruzzaman met the Speaker

at his office and discussed the matter.

Akhteruzzaman in his letter said, "The appeal of the opposition Chief Whip seeking vacation of my parliamentary seat is totally unconstitutional. Because, the party took a decision to refrain from attending the parliament session, which is against the Constitution”.

"Moreover, there is no constitutional validity behind declaring my seat vacant. If you think, you can refer the matter to the Election Commission'.

Quoting from the Constitution, he said he discharged his responsibility as a lawmaker by Joining In the parliament session. Performing one's duty as per the Constitution can not be an offence".

UNB adds: The Speaker yesterday referred the issue of vacating the parliamentary seat of Maj (Retd) Akhteruzzaman to the Election Commission for a final decision.

Official sources said Speaker Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury sent the matter to the EXJ along with Akhter's reply.

The MP from KlshoreganJ In reply to the Speaker made a proposal for holding a referendum for hls electorate, saying that they recommended hls return to parliament.

He refuted Opposition Chief Whip's claim that hls expulsion was tantamount to resignation from the party and so his seat should be declared vacated.

The Speaker sent the matter lo the Election Commission with a note dial Akhter's proposal for referendum "requires special consideration."