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Manama: Al Wefaq, the largest bloc in the Lower House with 17 of the 40 seats, has launched a scathing attack on the MPs who have supported a minister whom it accuses of "deceiving the authorities by giving erroneous information about Bahrain's population".
Al Wefaq's criticism came a week after the Services Committee absolved State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Shaikh Ahmad Bin Atiyatallah Al Khalifa of the charges of giving wrong data about Bahrain's population.
In March, Shaikh Ahmad said Bahrain's population was 1,046,000, including 529,000 Bahrainis and 517,000 foreigners. Al Wefaq said it was shocked to discover that the population was not 750,000 as often stated and that neither the MPs nor the planning authorities were informed.
Al Wefaq maintains that Shaikh Ahmad had plotted to rig the elections and alter Bahrain's demographic balance, but he has denied both charges.
However, four of the seven committee members said he was not guilty, sparking Al Wefaq's furore.
"We are shocked by the support of pro-government MPs to the minister despite all the documents that prove him guilty. We truly wonder what kind of parliament these MPs want us to have when they rush to declare the minister innocent and consequently give the green light to any corrupt official," Al Wefaq said in a statement sent yesterday to Gulf News.
The committee will submit a report to the Lower House on Tuesday.
"We are sure that most of the MPs will support the minister as a sign of gratitude for helping them get elected to the parliament, and we really deplore this tendency. Our solace is that the people of Bahrain have condemned the committee's failure and the minister's irregularities," the society said.
The other blocs in the parliament have consistently rejected Al Wefaq's accusations against Shaikh Ahmad, saying that they were motivated by personal grudges and a desire to fulfil promises made during the election campaigns.
"We will hold Shaikh Ahmad accountable when we have hard evidence," Ebrahim Bu Sandal, from Al Asala, said.
Committee decision
The fate of Mansoor Bin Rajab, Minister of Municipality Affairs and Agriculture, will be decided by a committee today.
Bin Rajab yesterday answered the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee on charges of alleged financial and administrative irregularities. Sources close to the committee told Gulf News five of the eight committee members are expected to absolve him.
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