KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: A number of First Constituency parliament hopefuls criticized the actions of opposition former MPs, who they say are abusing the country’s given freedoms for personal gains.
The so-called Kuwaiti ‘opposition’ is the only opposition in the world that does not own a plan or program that is an alternative to the government’s plan, says First Constituency candidate and media person Hussein Jamal. The bloc merely reacts and condemns government actions to deal with the various cases for the purpose of agitating on the street on its behalf, he added.  
Speaking at a seminar on the cons of the 2011 political scene, Jamal said opposition former lawmakers have waived their legislative role for agitation, which has wrecked havoc on Kuwaiti democracy. “The members of parliament must work on legislation and supervisory roles under the dome of Abdullah Al-Salem Hall as per the Constitution, as he said.
Jamal further said that Al-Erada Square is a podium for free expression however the square and Kuwait’s freedom have been abused by the few for personal and sectarian purposes, putting Kuwait’s interests last. He added that parliament immunity was also exploited and used as a weapon to harm Kuwait’s interests. “Immunity does not mean challenging the law and security and insulting whomever an MP wants without account,” he said.
Jamal concluded saying the government as well was deficient and to blame for many situations but believes the lawmakers had a role to play by providing achievable alternatives that meet the aspiration of citizens. 
Meanwhile, Shiite candidate and former MP, Saleh Ashour accused the opposition of aiming to garner the utmost power by casting doubt on the state’s three authorities. He added that the bloc, when it was unable to achieve their ambitions in parliament, called for the government’s dissolution.
Doubt
Speaking at the launching of his election campaign Wednesday evening Ashour said the opposition has been using debauchery to cast doubt on the executive authority for years and then turned its attention to legislative authority by casting doubt on its integrity. Moreover, he added, some opposition MPs are now casting suspicion on the judicial authority when it disagrees with certain verdicts.
The former MP was referring to a demonstration held opposite Justice Palace Wednesday to protest the verdicts against the officers involved in the torture murder of citizen Mohammed Al-Maimouni. The demonstration, which included opposition candidates Daifallah Buramiya and Khaled Tahous, believed the judicial authority’s verdicts were too lenient.
Speaking on his agenda, Ashour said that he plans on ensuring the implementation of social justice and equal opportunity across the board as they are the only means to national stability and prosperity. He also said reform can be achieved and corruption removed by applying laws strictly and equally, however this is by renewing confidence in the executive and legislative authorities. 
On his part, First Constituency candidate Jaleel Al-Tabakh also condemned the threats of further protests if the judicial verdicts are not revised. He called on the government to work on implementing the law and upholding the prestige of the judiciary. He added the government must hold accountable those who question the integrity of the judicial authority.