The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Former lawmakers from BNP, Awami League and Jatiya Party residing in NAM flats made it clear yesterday that they are not leaving the flats under pressure from any quarter.

Addressing a joint press conference at NAM Bhaban at Manik Mia Avenue in the city they also vowed to resist any conspiracy to protect the image of Parliament and its property.

"Despite differences in our political ideology and opinion, we are united and pledge- bound to uphold the prestige and protect the property of Parliament," they said in a statement.

"We express our firm commitment to take up various programmes, including legal means to foil any conspiracy," they added.

"Question does not arise to leave the flats. We are eligible to continue residing in NAM flats utill the formation of the next Parliament. We are ready to fight legal battle, if necessary," they declared.

Former Awami League lawmaker Shajahan Khan readout the statement.

The lawmakers of the Eighth Parliament demanded immediate release of two former premiers-Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.

They demanded holding of the next general elections as soon as possible to establish an elected government in the country.

Asked whether the lawmakers want to live in the NAM flats for an unlimited period, Shajahan Khan said they do not want to stay there for a long time.

"We want let the election be held immediately. We are ready to leave the apartments as soon as new lawmakers will be elected," he said.

The statement said the NAM Bhaban is the property of the Jatiya Sangsad since it was handed over to the Parliament Secretariat in 2003 to allocate among the lawmakers.

Referring to the decision of the House Committee, which allocated the flats among the MPs, that the statement pointed out that the tenure of the allocation of the flats will remain in force till the gazette notification of MPs elect of Ninth Parliament is published.

"The statement said the move to reallocate the flats contrary to the decision of the committee is tantamount to disrespect to Parliament," it noted.

Without the House Committee, it is out of the jurisdiction even of the Speaker to fix rent and other charges of the flats, the statement said.

The lawmakers expressed their apprehension that there is either direct or indirect pressure to allocate the flats among others by cancelling the allocation given against the lawmakers. They also termed the move immoral and indecent one.

Shajahan Khan demanded holding open trials of the two former premiers so that people could know whether the two leaders are guilty or not.

The press conference was organised following issuance of Works Ministry's notice to pay for the NAM apartments if the lawmakers want to live.

Replying to a question on the lower rent of the flats, Shajahan Khan said they do not pay rent for the flats rather they are paying service charges as per parliamentary rule.

The Ministry of Works recently issued letters to the former lawmakers asking them either to pay rents fixed by the government or vacate the apartments by March 19 this year.

Asked if the former lawmakers will remain united during the prevailing situation, Shajahan Khan of Awami League, Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi of BNP and Mojibur Rahman of Jatiya Party said they are ready to work together not only on the issue of NAM flats but also on any national issue in future.

Among others, Selim Reza Habib, Abdul Momin Talukdar, Abu Yusuf Mohammad Khalilur Rahman, Nurul Kabir Shaheen, Abdul Mannan Talukdar, Prof Yunus, Helen Jerin Khan, Jahan Panna, Rezina Islam, Shahana Rahman, Nurjahan Yasmin, Bilkis Jahan Shirin, Rasheda Begum Hira, Saimon Begum, Khodeja Imdad Lata, Chamon Ara, Fahima Hossain Jubilee and Newaz Halima Arly and Majibur Rahman, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Lily Chowdhury were present at the press conference.