Talking with Speaker Jamir Uddin Sircar over telephone, Opposition Chief Whip Abdus Shahid protested Shahidul Islam's remarks and urged him to expunge those from parliament proceedings.

The speaker gave him assurance that he would examine the proceedings, Abdus Shahid told newsmen at a press briefing yesterday at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Opposition Deputy Leader Abdul Hamid meanwhile said "this is another ploy of the ruling coalition to keep the Awami League out of parliament permanently".

Hamid said parliament has become virtually non-functional with two opposition parties -- Awami League and Jatiya Party -- boycotting the House.

"I have reasons to believe that the ruling alliance wants to run the House all alone,'' he said without elaborating.