Mokabbir of Gono Forum takes oath as MP

Bringing all speculations to an end, Gono Forum’s another MP-elect Mokabbir Khan took oath as Member of Parliament today, violating his party decision.

But defending his stance about taking oath, he said he was candidate of neither BNP nor Jatiya Oikyofront in the general election held on December 30.

“I was never associated with BNP. I belong to Gono Forum and contested the election with “Sun” election symbol,” he said, brushing aside the allegation that he took oath today violating party’s decision.

Mokabbir, elected MP from Sylhet-2 constituency, came up with this observation while talking to reporters after being sworn in as MP at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered the swearing-in around 12:15pm at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury and Whips Iqbalur Rahim, Mahbub Ara Begum Gini and Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapan were, among others, present on the occasion.

Mokabbir is the second MP of the opposition coalition, Jatiya Oikya Front, to join the 11th parliament as Gono Forum MP-elect Sultan Muhammad Mansur (Moulvibazar-2) was sworn in on March 7 last.

The Jatiya Sangsad took preparations about swearing-in as Mokabbir sent a letter in the letterhead of Gono Forum to the Speaker on Monday requesting her to make an arrangement for administrating oath to him either on April 2 or 3.

When his attention was drawn to allegation brought by party presidium member Jaglul Haider Afrik that he stole party’s letterhead and sent the letter to the Speaker using it, Mokabbir said some party leaders with mental distress are raising unfunded allegations against him which are “devoid of political decency”.

Meanwhile, executive president of Gono Forum advocate Subrata Chowdhury said their party is still sticking to the stand about not joining the present parliament. Criticising Mokabbir for taking oath, Subrata said the letter in the letterhead of the party was sent to the Speaker had no signature of party’s general secretary, meaning the party has not endorsed his decision.

(Humayun Kabir)