Monday, February 13 2006 09:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Ending their boycott of parliament that lasted a year, lawmakers from Bangladesh's main opposition Awami League (AL) yesterday (Feb 12,2006) returned to the house to place their proposals for electoral reforms.

"The parliament has got back the charm of autumn bridge with the return of the opposition after a long break," deputy speaker Akhtar Hamid Siddiqui commented, welcoming the opposition members, adding the AL's presence in the house would boost parliamentary activities to a large extent.

AL chief Sheikh Hasina, who joined the session minutes after parliamentarians from her party entered the house, spoke for nearly an hour to explain her proposals for electoral reforms and took part in routine question-answer hour as also discussion on call-attention notices.

"I urge you to accept the 23-point demand," she said adding that most of the reform proposals could be adopted just through administrative order while the Government would have to use its two-thirds majority to implement the rest.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was not present as she went to Pakistan on a three-day official visit.

The AL had boycotted the parliament alleging that the speaker did not allow them to speak their mind, a charge denied by the chair.

Most AL lawmakers would have lost their parliament seat in this ongoing New Year session for non-stop 90-day absence without seeking the speaker's permission.

AL returned to the house a week after Sheikh Hasina said her party would join the parliament as the Prime Minister had urged the opposition to place 'our reform proposals.'

"But if the proposals are not accepted in letter and spirit as presented by the opposition, we will have no choice but quit the parliament," she said earlier.