Bahrain MP blasts liberal groups for seeking favours from Al Wefaq

Manama: A controversial lawmaker has accused Bahrain’s liberal groups of being “first-class beggars seeking parliamentary seats” from Al Wefaq, the country’s largest political and religious society.

“The liberal and secular opposition groups are in fact politically bankrupt and delicate and have no popular support. They are first-class beggars seeking seats in the parliament from Al Wefaq Society,” Jassem Al Saeedi, an independent lawmaker with strong Salafi tendencies, said.

“What these groups euphemistically call ‘coordination meetings’ are in fact sessions to solicit parliamentary seats in constituencies where Al Wefaq has a large number of followers. They are desperate to get even one seat, an indication that these groups that claim they have both crème de la crème and an extensive popular support are in fact bankrupt beggars who cannot reach the parliament without begging their way,” he said.

Bahrain’s bi-cameral parliament, reinvigorated in 2002 after a three-decade hiatus, is dominated by Islamists who hold 32 of the 40 seats. Al Wefaq (Shiites) with 17 members, Al Asala (Salafis) with eight MPs and Al Menbar (Muslim Brotherhood) with seven lawmakers tower above the rest in Council of Representatives.

In 2002, Al Wefaq and some leftist groups boycotted the elections to ask for more constitutional reforms. However, Al Wefaq in 2006 reversed its stance and won 17 seats, after it refused to give up any of its “secure” constituencies to other much smaller opposition groups, including liberal formations that were part of a 2002 boycott alliance. Al Wefaq strongly supported Abdul Aziz Abul an independent liberal candidate who successfully ran in Manama, but the society is not reportedly pleased with his positions in the lower house.

With the 2010 elections month away, several groups have been meeting with Al Wefaq to work out a new alliance that will help strengthen the opposition and enhance their electoral chances.

But the people of Bahrain will reject liberals, being invariably inclined to elect religiously committed candidates, says Al Saeedi who was elected in 2002 and 2006 on an independent but deeply religious platform.

“The low support for the liberal and secular groups in Bahrain is a clear indication that the people, both Sunnis and Shiites, are committed to their religion and to their deep-rooted traditions and values. They will not give up on their principles despite all attempts to change their mindsets and so the political and popular bankruptcy of the other groups is always expected. They simply cannot compete with Islamic groups. In fact, these liberal groups should draw lessons from past experiences and should not expect Al Wefaq to give up any part of its electoral cake,” he said.