Dhaka: Gono Forum’s two MPs-elect—Sultan Mohammad Mansur (Moulvibazar-2) and Mokabbir Khan (Sylhet-2) -- want to take oath on March 7 to join the 11th parliament.

The duo said they sent a letter to Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury today (Saturday) requesting her to arrange their oath-taking ceremony on March 7, reports the UNB.

Angered by their decision, Gono Forum leaders declared Mansur and Mokabbir persona non grata in their office and threatened to take necessary action against them.

Mansur was elected MP from Moulvibazar-2 seat contesting the December-30 election as a Gono Forum candidate under Jatiya Oikyafront platform with BNP’s electoral symbol ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ while Mokabbir from Sylhet-2 constituency with Gono Forum’s election symbol ‘Rising Sun’.  

Mansur said they both decided to be sworn in on the historic March 7 if the Speaker takes steps in this regard as per their letter.

He also said he has no relation with Gono Forum as he was a candidate of Jatiya Oikya Prokriya.

Mansur said he talked to Gono Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain barely five days back and found him positive about his joining parliament.

Asked whether he consulted Oikyafront leaders about the matter, he said as a steering committee member he himself took the decision considering the interests of people of his constituency. ‘People of my constituency elected me braving serious adversities. Now it’s my duty to work for them and respect their mandate.’

Mansur said he will play a constructive role in parliament as an independent MP of Jatiya Oikya Prokriya.

Mokabbir Khan said took the decision to take oath as their most party leaders, except a few ones, are in favour of joining the House.

He said Dr Kamal Hossain made positive remarks in this regard at different meetings of the party.

Mokabbir, also a presidium member of Gono Forum, said he mainly took the decision as people who made him MPs are creating pressure on him to join parliament to work for them.

Contacted, Gono Forum general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu said the two-MPs elect will violate the party decision if they take oath, and they will subsequently face action.

‘Our party’s decision is not sending the two MPs to parliament. We’ll take all the necessary action if they take oath,’ he added.

Montu said Dr Kamal Hossain is in no way positive about taking oath by the two party MPs -elect. ‘The duo is giving false statement involving our president with their decision to take oath. Sir (Kamal) did not permit them to take oath.’

Gono Forum central leader Rafiqul Islam Pathik said their party leaders declared the duo unwarranted in their office since they sent a letter to the Speaker for taking oath violating the party decision.

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 January 30 without the participation of the eight MPs-elect of Oikyafront.