BNP MPs-elect won’t join JS sans party nod

BNP lawmakers-elect say they see no scope of joining Parliament by ignoring the party directive, even though people in their respective constituencies want them to do so. Senior party leaders say they still stick to their decision to not join Parliament as a mark their rejection of the results of the December 30 elections because of alleged vote rigging.

Ruling party leaders, however, expect the BNP lawmakers-elect to take oath on or before April 30 and join Parliament. Meanwhile, there is a speculation that a negotiation between leaders of the BNP and the Awami League (AL) is underway to free Khaleda Zia to create a passage for the BNP lawmakers-elect to join Jatiya Sangsad.

When contacted, some BNP and AL leaders, however, pleaded ignorance about such negotiations.

BNP lawmaker elect Harun-or-Rashid, who was elected from  Chapainawabganj-2, said people in his constituency wanted him to join parliament. “They expect that I’ll join Parliament and explain the repression on them carried out by the AL regime over the last 10 years,” he added.

However, Harun, who is also the joint secretary general of the party, made it clear that they would not join the House defying the party diktat.

Talking about the two Ganoforum MPs who have recently joined Parliament, Harun said the BNP was a national party and its members should not be compared with them. Preferring anonymity, another BNP lawmaker-elect said they were under pressure as most of the people of their constituencies wanted them to join Parliament and explain their grouse and complaints. “Since we have no directive from the central office, we are not going to join Parliament,” he added.

He, however, expressed hope that a positive decision in this regard might be tken by party bigwigs. “If the party wants, we will join. Otherwise not,” he said.

Earlier, two Ganaforum lawmakers—Sultan Muhammed Mansur and Mukabbir Khan—took oath separately and joined Parliament ignoring the party advice.

The Jatiya Oikyafront also decided not to join Parliament.

Talking to The Independent, BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said they were still determined not to join Parliament. “We have rejected the recent elections and decided not to join Jatiya Sangsad. This decision of the BNP and the Oikyafront still stands,” he added.

Asked to comment on the ruling party leaders’ expectations that the BNP lawmakers-elect would join Parliament, Hossain said the party had not budged from its decision in this regard.   

Replying to a question, the elderly leader said he was not aware of any negotiation between BNP and AL leaders.

AL acting general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, however, expressed hope that the BNP lawmakers-elect would join Parliament within the time limit, which expires on April 30.

“We hope they (BNP lawmakers) will take oath and join Parliament before the expiration of the time limit. It’s the best way to respect the wishes of those people who voted for them in the polls,” he added.

He also said he had no idea whether there was any negotiation between the two parties over freeing Khaleda Zia.

In the last general election, the Oikyafront won only eight seats — six by the BNP and two by Ganaforum— while the ruling AL-backed Grand Alliance secured a landslide victory by winning 288 constituencies out of the total 300 seats.

The five other BNP lawmakers-elect include party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir from Bogura-6, Mosharraf Hossain from Bogura-4, Aminul Islam from Chapainawabganj-2, Zahidur Rahman Zahid from Thakurgaon-3 and Ukil Abdus Sattar from Brahmanbaria-2 constituencies.

As per Article 67 (1), a Member of Parliament shall vacate his/her seat if he/she fails to take oath within 90 days from the date of the first meeting of parliament after his election. The first session of 11th parliament began on January 29 and all ruling party lawmakers had earlier taken oath accordingly.

BNP MPs-elect wont join JS sans party nod

BNP lawmakers-elect say they see no scope of joining Parliament by ignoring the party directive, even though people in their respective constituencies want them to do so. Senior party leaders say they still stick to their decision to not join Parliament as a mark their rejection of the results of the December 30 elections because of alleged vote rigging. Ruling party leaders, however, expect the BNP lawmakers-elect to take oath on or before April 30 and join Parliament. Meanwhile, there is a speculation that a negotiation between leaders of the BNP and the Awami League (AL) is underway to free Khaleda Zia to create a passage for the BNP lawmakers-elect to join Jatiya Sangsad. When contacted, some BNP and AL leaders, however, pleaded ignorance about such negotiations. BNP lawmaker elect Harun-or-Rashid, who was elected from Chapainawabganj-2, said people in his constituency wanted him to join parliament. They expect that Ill join Parliament and explain the repression on them carried out by the AL regime over the last 10 years, he added. However, Harun, who is also the joint secretary general of the party, made it clear that they would not join the House defying the party diktat. Talking about the two Ganoforum MPs who have recently joined Parliament, Harun said the BNP was a national party and its members should not be compared with them. Preferring anonymity, another BNP lawmaker-elect said they were under pressure as most of the people of their constituencies wanted them to join Parliament and explain their grouse and complaints. Since we have no directive from the central office, we are not going to join Parliament, he added. He, however, expressed hope that a positive decision in this regard might be tken by party bigwigs. If the party wants, we will join. Otherwise not, he said. Earlier, two Ganaforum lawmakersSultan Muhammed Mansur and Mukabbir Khantook oath separately and joined Parliament ignoring the party advice. The Jatiya Oikyafront also decided not to join Parliament. Talking to The Independent, BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said they were still determined not to join Parliament. We have rejected the recent elections and decided not to join Jatiya Sangsad. This decision of the BNP and the Oikyafront still stands, he added. Asked to comment on the ruling party leaders expectations that the BNP lawmakers-elect would join Parliament, Hossain said the party had not budged from its decision in this regard. Replying to a question, the elderly leader said he was not aware of any negotiation between BNP and AL leaders. AL acting general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, however, expressed hope that the BNP lawmakers-elect would join Parliament within the time limit, which expires on April 30. We hope they (BNP lawmakers) will take oath and join Parliament before the expiration of the time limit. Its the best way to respect the wishes of those people who voted for them in the polls, he added. He also said he had no idea whether there was any negotiation between the two parties over freeing Khaleda Zia. In the last general election, the Oikyafront won only eight seats six by the BNP and two by Ganaforum while the ruling AL-backed Grand Alliance secured a landslide victory by winning 288 constituencies out of the total 300 seats. The five other BNP lawmakers-elect include party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir from Bogura-6, Mosharraf Hossain from Bogura-4, Aminul Islam from Chapainawabganj-2, Zahidur Rahman Zahid from Thakurgaon-3 and Ukil Abdus Sattar from Brahmanbaria-2 constituencies. As per Article 67 (1), a Member of Parliament shall vacate his/her seat if he/she fails to take oath within 90 days from the date of the first meeting of parliament after his election. The first session of 11th parliament began on January 29 and all ruling party lawmakers had earlier taken oath accordingly.