MPs engage in consultations to stop interpellation motion
Al Watan staff
KUWAIT: With the departure of contentious Shiite cleric Mohammed AlÜFali, constitutional experts and other sources have affirmed that the government is likely to consider the interpellation motion registered against His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser AlÜMohammed AlÜSabah as unconstitutional. The sources added that the government is not willing to give any concession to the interpellators.
Meanwhile, several MPs are reportedly making contact with the wouldÜbe interpellators to urge them to withdraw their grilling motion, particularly since the main point of the interpellation has been settled.
"The wouldÜbe interpellators have been advised not to proceed with the grilling because the government has heeded their demand and promised to address all other pending matters," a parliamentary source revealed.
Several lawmakers have voiced concern over unconfirmed reports of a possible dissolution of Parliament, noting that such a move may plunge the country into an intractable predicament.
MP Faisal AlÜMislem on Thursday announced that he fully backs the grilling motion submitted by the three Islamist MPs against His Highness the Prime Minister.
Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, the lawmaker affirmed that the way out of this dilemma lies in the premier standing on the podium and facing questioning, adding that the information in his domain suggests that there will be no dissolution of Parliament and that the government will not resign.
"Seeing the status quo remain unchanged is an indication that the Constitution is being upheld", the Islamist legislator pointed out.
He urged the government, however, to tender its resignation if the premier is not willing to face questioning.
Although AlÜMislem admitted that the dissolution of Parliament is an exclusive right for His Highness the Amir, he insisted that nobody reserves the right to unconstitutionally disband the Parliament.
He cautioned that an unconstitutional dissolution of Parliament will take the country back to square one and cause development to cease, while calling on all political forces to resist such calls.
AlÜMislem went on to hailed the position of many political forces that have announced that they wouldn''t be part of any unconstitutional government.
Decrying the fact that the interpellators are being touted as unpatriotic by some, he suggested that a conspiracy might be at play.
For his part, Dr. Mohammed AlÜHatlani stressed that promoting the unconstitutional dissolution of Parliament is an attempt by some to undermine the regime and empty the Constitution of its sense.
In a press statement, the lawmaker urged the government not to counter interpellations with threats of dissolving Parliament, particularly since the lawmakers are exercising their constitutional powers.
On the other hand, MP Nasser AlÜDuwailah affirmed that the premier has unprecedented backing from lawmakers.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the lawmaker asserted that the reluctance of MPs to attend the last parliamentary session underscores their opposition to the interpellation.
"The absence of 42 MPs in the session sends a clear and loud message that they are against the interpellation", he said, while reiterating confidence in the prime minister.
Meanwhile, MP AbdulAziz AlÜShayji criticized calls for unconstitutional dissolution of Parliament, saying that such a move will avail thieves to plunder public funds.
"Despite all the drawbacks within the National Assembly, the Parliament plays a crucial role in serving the country and the people", he pointed out.
Last updated on Friday 21/11/2008
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