AN MP yesterday accused Justice Minister Dr Mohammed Al Sitri of being the front man for Al Wefaq National Islamic Society - Bahrain's biggest political group.Dr Al Sitri was at yesterday's parliament session to answer questions from Shaikh Jassim Al Saeed as to how he had legalised Al Wefaq's existence.
Mr Al Saeedi says the society is illegal because its by-laws are in violation of the Constitution and the National Action Charter.
He bases this claim on the fact that Al Wefaq wants a Constitution agreed by the people and the leadership, with a greater sharing of power.
But Dr Al Sitri told MPs that the society's by-laws were within the Constitution and the charter.
"The society's by-laws are up to them to decide, we don't interfere with them, considering they are drawn based on the society's goals," he said.
"Article five of the society's by-laws, which Shaikh Al Saeedi thinks is a violation, is not, because calls for amendments to the Constitution are allowed, according to the law.
Dr Al Sitri said that the society's call for a Constitution approved by the people and the leadership was not new.
"The society calls for the division of power and authority, which is the pillar of every democratic country and I don't see any violation in it," he said.
"The society is keen on playing its role in the community and this why it was one of the first to fix its existence according to the new societies law and hopefully they will practise their political rights, as others today in parliament."
Shaikh Al Saeedi said that the Minister was defending the society as if he was appointed as their lawyer.
"It seems they chose you to be there front man, because you are defending them well," he said.
"I am not the only one who thinks that their existence is illegal, others too, because their articles are full of controversy."
While Shaikh Al Saeedi was speaking, parliament economic and financial affairs committee vice-chairman Jassim Abdula'al was raising his hands calling for a time-out.
When he got no response from parliament first vice-chairman Abdulhadi Marhoon, who chaired part of the session, he decided to speak out, telling MPs that throwing punches at Al Wefaq was unethical.
"Stop this nuisance. Everyone knows that Al Wefaq is a patriotic society, with a rich history of fighting for people's demands," said Mr Abdula'al.
"I am not a member of Al Wefaq, but trying to undermine it is something I will not accept."
He was then shushed by other MPs, who told him to sit down and mind his own business.
Mr Abdula'al refused to do so, so he was ordered to be quiet in his seat by Mr Marhoon.
"I don't know why other MPs have a grudge against Al Wefaq, I don't need to defend them, everyone knows how genuine the society is," Mr Abdula'al told the GDN after the session.
"I don't want to say Mr Marhoon is against the society. I hope he is not, because if no-one is willing to stand with what is right I am willing to do so," he said.
"I believe the Minister has given Shaikh Al Saeedi a good response, which I believe will stop him from opening similar doors.
Mr Marhoon told the GDN that Mr Abdula'al spoke without turn and this why he told him to stick to his chair.