The main opposition party kept off the inaugural sitting of 9th session of the 8th parliament on Thursday. The session will be a brief one, ending on September 19.

Talking to The Daily Star last night, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil said, "We will decide at Sunday's (ALPP) meeting whether to join the session or not." He however added, "What is the use of joining the session when the treasury bench does not allow us to speak in parliament?"

AL President and Leader of the Opposition in the House Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to chair the ALPP meeting.

Jalil said the meeting will also discuss the issue of nominating AL lawmakers for parliamentary standing committees on different ministries.

He resented 'unilateral formation' of the standing committees by the government without any consultation with his party.

The AL has about one-fifth of the members in parliament but it has not been offered chairmanship of any of the 39 standing committees.