Mahmudul Hasan takes oath as MP

Dhaka, Aug 8 (bdnews24.com)—Mahmudul Hasan of BNP took oath as MP from Tangail-5 constituency on Wednesday after the High Court stripped Jatiya Party lawmaker Abul Kashem of his membership for defaulting on loan repayment. Speaker Abdul Hamid administered at his office oath to Hasan, a retired Major General who served in President HM Ershad's Cabinet as Home Minister. Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali, Jafrul Islam Chowdhury MP, Mohammad Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annied MP, Nazimuddin Ahmed MP, Nilufar Chowdhury MP and Rasheda Begum Hira MP were present at the ceremony. Acting Secretary to Parliament Secretariat Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman moderated the function, also attended by high officials of the Secretariat. After taking oath, Mahmudul told reporters justice was done, though belatedly. Asked how he planned to do his job as his party was boycotting Parliament, he said, "I would make the best use of the remaining time. I've the experience." Abul Kashem of Jatiya Party was elected with 147,152 votes to Mahmudul's 72,805. Mahmudul had moved the High Court in February 2009 contending that Kashem had defaulted on payments of Sonali Bank loan and had outstanding phone bills. The High Court on Dec 15 the same year ordered the EC to cancel Kashem's candidature and declare Mahmudul winner. On Feb 14 this year, a three-strong bench led by Chief Justice Mohammad Muzammal Hossain rejected an appeal of Kashem and ordered that Hasan be declared winner in a week. The Election Commission issued the gazette on May 7 after getting a copy of the High Court order on Apr 29. The delay to implement the order took place as the Speaker preferred waiting for a verdict on a petition filed by Kashem to review the previous order. But the petition was also rejected by the court. bdnews24.com/sum/skb/bd/1800h