Talking to UNB, two MPs-elect --Sultan Mohammad Mansur (Moulvibazar-2) and Mokabbir Khan (Sylhet-2) -- said they will take oath in due time showing respect to people’s mandate given in favour of them.
Sultan Mansur said he is not bound to obey Gono Forum’s any decision as he is not a member of the party while Mokabbir said Gono Forum will finally allow him to join parliament.
Sultan Mansur told UNB, “I don’t know what decision Gono Forum has taken. I’m going to take oath as per the desire of people who made me an MP.”
He said Dr Kamal Hossain in the past asked him to get ready for joining parliament. “As top leader of the Oikyafront, I respect him, but I can’t ignore the voters of my constituency as I do politics for them.”
Asked whether he will join Awami League, Sultan Mansur said he did not join any party leaving Awami League. “Awami league didn’t use me and that’s a different question. But, my identity is an ex-organising secretary of Awami League, not a Gono Forum leader.”
He also said he took part in the election as a candidate of Jatiya Oikyafront, not that of Gono Forum. “I’ll now join parliament and play a constructive role like an independent MP.”
Mokabbir Khan said their party did not yet take any decision not to join parliament.
As his attention was drawn to Dr Kamal Hossain’s today’s comment, he said, “I don’t know what he said, but I’m sure my party didn’t take any such decision. “I’m not going to take oath right now. I firmly believe my party will finally send me to parliament.”
Replying to a question, he said he personally thinks he should join parliament showing respect to people of his constituency who elected him an MP amid various adversities.
Earlier in the day, Dr Kamal Hossain said they have asked their two MPs-elect not to join parliament as per their party’s decision.
“We’ve clearly conveyed them (two MPs) our party’s decision of not joining parliament, and they won’t do it,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting of Jatiya Oikyafront steering committee at his Motijheel chamber.
BNP along with Gono Forum and some other parties joined the December-30 election in alliance under the banner of Jatiya Oikyafront. BNP bagged six seats while Gono Forum two in the election.
The alliance turned down the election results bringing the allegation of ‘massive vote robbery’ and demanded reelection.
The first session of the new parliament began on Wednesday without the participation of the eight MPs-elect of Oikyafront.