Drama over Mokabbir continues
The drama centring Gonoforum leader Mokabbir Khan and his decision to take oath in the Awami League-led parliament is yet to end.
Early this month, Mokabbir took oath as a member of parliament, defying his party decision.
He faced criticism from different quarters as well as from party President Dr Kamal Hossain.
Despite that, the Gonoforum presidium member took part in a special council of the party yesterday, held at Mohanagar Natya Mancha in Gulistan.
The council was presided over by Dr Kamal and he shared the stage with Mokabbir and other senior leaders.
However, a section of leaders were angered by the incident and termed it a “dual role”.
Disappointed, Rafiqul Islam Pothik, training affairs secretary of Gonoforum, left the council hall and announced that he might resign from the party soon.
“Many of us are angry because of the dual role… He [Dr Kamal] told Mokabbir to ‘get out’ when he [Mokabbir] went to his chamber a few days ago. But today [yesterday] they shared the same stage,” Rafiqul told The Daily Star.
Mokabbir’s oath-taking was against the party decision, he added. “It’s better not to be in a party, where these types of activities go on,” Rafiqul said.
In the 11th parliamentary election, Mokabbir was elected from Sylhet-2 constituency. He was the second MP from the opposition coalition -- Jatiya Oikyafront -- to join the newly-formed parliament.
On March 7, Sultan Muhammad Mansur, elected from Moulvibazar-2 constituency, took oath.
Two days ago, Zahidur Rahman, a BNP leader elected from Thakurgaon-3 constituency, took oath going against the party’s decision to not join the parliament.
BNP yesterday alleged that the government mounted pressure on Zahidur to take oath as a member of the parliament.
Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the allegation after Zahidur took oath on Thursday against the party’s decision of not joining parliament. Fakhrul was talking to reporters after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave along with leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal.
Meanwhile, asked about Mokabbir’s participation in yesterday’s council, Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, executive president of Gonoforum, said the recently sworn-in MP came to the venue “on his own”.
“He’s supposed to stay away from party activities as an organisational decision is to be taken against him [for taking the oath],” said Subrata.
The senior leader denied making any comment about the “dual role”.
Speaking at the council, Dr Kamal urged law enforcement agencies, particularly police, to perform their duties properly. He also called upon people to stay alert to protect democracy as well as the country’s independence.
“Police are not the owner of the state; they are servants. They should perform their duties obeying the constitution and law,” he added.
Dr Kamal also termed the Supreme Court verdict on the 16th amendment “historic”.
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