Reza Kibria quits from Gonoforum
Nearly 26 months after joining the party, Reza Kibria resigned from Gonoforum and its post of general secretary.
"I've resigned from both the general secretary post and membership of Gonoforum. I've already submitted my resignation letter to party president Dr Kamal Hossain," he told UNB.
Asked about his plans, Reza said he has not yet thought about it due to the pandemic. "I'll work out my future plan once the Covid situation improves."
Replying to another question, he said he was staying in Bangladesh and would remain here during the days to come to serve the people.
Reza expressed his gratitude towards Dr Kamal Hossain and Gonoforum leaders for giving him the scope for working as the party general secretary. "I feel very honoured as I had been able to work with Dr Kamal Hossain."
He said he returned home in 2018 leaving a job at The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and joined Gonoforum with a goal to serve the people like his father.
"Though I'm leaving Gonoforum, I want to keep myself engaged in the service to the people as my father Shah AMS Kibria did. I'll continue to be with those working to establish democracy, social justice and good governance in Bangladesh," he said.
Reza, son of slain Finance Minister and Awami League leader Shah AMS Kibria, joined Gonoforum in November 2018, just before the 11th parliamentary election.
He contested the election from Habiganj-1 seat as a candidate of Jatiya Oikyafront with BNP's election symbol "Sheaf of Paddy' and lost.
On May 5, 2019, Dr Kamal made Reza general secretary of Gonoforum, dropping Mostafa Mohsin Montu, widening the conflict among party leaders.
Though Reza was made party general secretary, a group of leaders did not cooperate with him from the very beginning. Party leaders Abu Sayeed and Subrata were initially on Reza Kibria's side but later engaged in conflicts with him over various decisions.
Following the internal feud, Reza expelled some party leaders, including Montu, Abu Sayeed and Subrata Chowdhury, while the expelled leaders ousted Reza and some others by holding an extended meeting.
On December 19 last year, Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain said there was no problem in Gonoforum as they were reunited.