Playing both ways

The Jatiya Party seeks to be in the Opposition in the 10th parliament but also some berths in the Cabinet.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 9 Jan 2014, 09:35 AM
Updated : 9 Jan 2014, 01:20 PM

Party MPs elected in the 10th parliamentary polls took oath with Chairman HM Ershad’s wife and Senior Presidium Member Raushan Ershad leading the way on Thursday.

After the oath, Presidium Member Kazi Firoz Rashid said, “We are in the cabinet and opposition party as well. It will be a government of national consensus.”

Another Presidium Member Mujibul Haque Chunnu said the party’s parliamentary party meeting had selected Raushan Ershad the Leader of the Opposition.

Jatiya Party has secured second majority in the 10th parliamentary polls by winning 33 seats with 20 uncontested.

On staying in the new Cabinet, Chunnu said, “No firm decision has been made yet. But most MPs would like to stay in both cabinet and function as an Opposition party.”

Firoz said the ninth parliament was no more effective after the gazette publication of the elected MPs of the 10th parliament.

“The ninth parliament will be dissolved automatically as soon as this gazette notification took effect. The new session will convene in a month,” he told reporters after taking oath.

Firoz said the new government would take firm measures to curb violence.

The 10th parliamentary election was boycotted by the BNP-led 18-Party opposition alliance on Sunday.

The alliance has been enforcing nonstop blockade to press for cancelling the election.

Under the consequences, many elected MPs are saying that the new parliament would complete its full term but many say there may be need for a mid-term poll involving all parties if the Awami League and the BNP could arrive at a consensus.

On mid-term polls, Firoz said, “The issue will depend on talks among the Awami League, BNP and other parties.”

Asked when the Jatiya Party Chairman Ershad would take oath, he said, “He might take oath this afternoon or anytime later.”

Ershad said he would stay away from the polls a day after his party candidates, including himself, submitted the nominations.

He was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital with RAB escort on Dec 12.

Ershad has won a seat and lost another in the election though he remained in the hospital during the polls.

The newly elected Jatiya Party MPs took oath without Ershad.