Though he took oath as an MP violating his party decision, Gonoforum presidium member Mokabbir Khan joined its fifth national council here on Friday.

The council began at Mohanagar Natya Mancha in the morning with party president Dr Kamal Hossain in the chair, reports the UNB.

Mokabbir, who was elected MP from Sylhet-2 seat with Gonoforum ticket in the December-30 election, took oath as an MP of the 11th parliament on April 2 going against the party decision.

On April 20, Gonoforum central committee at a meeting decided to send a show-cause notice to Mokabbir Khan for ‘violating’ its constitution and indulging ‘anti- party’ activities.

Mokabbir joined today’s council and sat on the sage three seats after Dr Kamal Hossain, creating resentment among party leaders and activists.

Talking to UNB, party training affairs secretary Rafiqul Islam Pathik said it is painful that Kamal Hossain is doing ‘dual politics’ over Mokabbir’s issue. ‘I came out of the council and boycotted it in protest against Mokabbir’s presence at the council.’

He said many of their party leaders and activists got angry seeing Mokabbir on the stage.

Gonoforum organising secretary Mostak Ahmed said their party served Mokabbir a show-cause notice, but still did not take any action against him as he did not reply to it.

However, party central executive committee member Maj (retd) Afsary Ameen Ahmed said as a party presidium member Mokbbir can join the council. ‘A vested quarter in the party has taken stance against Mokabbir out of jealousy.’

Dr Kamal Hossain together with party senior leaders inaugurated the council by hoisting the national and Gonoforum flags around 10:00am.

Nearly 1,000 party delegates from across the country joined the event.

The council will end in the evening through the concluding speech of Dr Kamal Hossain.

The last council of Gonoforum was held on December 10, 2011.