Dhaka, July 08: Bangladesh's main opposition Awami League joined parliament after a boycott only to walk out again briefly over a debate on gas export to India.
The party led by Sheikh Hasina came back to the Jatiya Sangsad last night as the house resumed business after a week's recess.
Awami League lawmakers attempted to raise several issues including gas export to India and the unceremonious exit of president Badruddoza Chowdhury.
Hasina sought an explanation from state minister for energy A K M Mosharraf on why the ruling alliance was considering gas export to India despite its pre-election resolve to resist any such move and demanded a general discussion in the house on the issue.
Party lawmakers backed her up by demanding to know why the government had signed "secret contacts to hand over national resources to foreigners" angering ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party members.
Musharraf said, “The government was yet to decide on the issue. A decision on the issue will be taken on the basis of the two expert committee reports".
He also accused the Awami League, which formed the previous government, of creating a situation that necessitated gas export by signing too many production sharing contacts.
The Awami League had boycotted parliament since the last October's general elections which brought the BNP-led coalition to power. It joined the house on June 24 but walked out on June 27 before deciding to return last night.

Bureau Report