Bangladesh parliament may shorten sessions for World Cup

DHAKA, June 19 (Reuters) The speaker of the Bangladesh parliament may cut sessions short so that soccer-crazy politicians can follow the World Cup on television.

''I shall consider (the proposal) so that members can watch the World Cup matches,'' acting speaker Akhtar Hamid Siddiki told the house while presiding over a session last night.

The acting speaker had been responding to a plea by a treasury bench member who said most of his colleagues in parliament were eager to see matches of their favourite teams.

Brazil was playing Australia in Germany when parliament was in session yesterday.

Opposition members also requested the speaker to instruct the relevant electricity supply department to ensure uninterrupted power supply across the country during matches.

Soccer fans have attacked and vandalised various local supply offices after power-cuts during matches.

Bangladesh failed to qualify for the World Cup finals, but millions of soccer fans in the country stay up late at night to watch on television.

REUTERS PM ND1136