BNP remains firm on not joining parliament, says Moudud

Rejecting media speculations, BNP leader Moudud Ahmed has said his party is not budging from its decision to not allow their MPs-elect o take oath in the parliament.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 19 April 2019, 03:19 PM
Updated : 19 April 2019, 03:20 PM

“Our six MPs-elect won't join parliament. There’s no question about it. Because our party decided that our elected members won’t take oath,” he said at a book launching ceremony on the political life of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium on Friday.

As part of the Jatiya Oikya Front alliance led by Dr Kamal Hossain, the BNP could only manage six seats while the Gono Forum bagged two in the Dec 30 polls.

Alleging widespread rigging and intimidation of candidates and their supporters, the Oikya Front later said the eight MPs-elect from the alliance would not take oath.

However, two Gono Forum leaders — Sultan Md Mansur Ahmed and Mokabbir Khan — have taken oath as MP defying the alliance’s decision. Rumours were rife that the MPs-elect from the BNP might follow suit. The ruling Awami League has also urged the BNP to join parliament.

Declining the call, Moudud said, "Today they were calling us. We know what their nature is."

Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, explained the reason behind the party’s decision to not allow their MPs to take oath.

Recalling that the party had been denied nine seats in the front row as demanded in 2009, Moudud said, “Would it end their rule? We should not expect any sympathy and political etiquette from such a narrow-minded party (Awami League).”

Speaking at the event, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged BNP leaders and activists not to get disappointed as their party will overcome the current situation much like it did in the past.