Mansur takes oath as MP today, Mokabbir backtracks

Gono Forum's MP-elect Mokabbir Khan (Sylhet-2) is not going to take oath today (Thursday) to join the 11th parliament due to an 'avoidable reason', reports UNB.

However, the party's another MP-elect, Sultan Mohammad Mansur, (Moulvibazar-2) will be sworn in at 11am as per the schedule fixed by Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.

"Mokabbir Khan, who was elected MP from Sylhet-2 with Gono Forum's election symbol 'Rising Sun' will not take oath tomorrow (Thursday) for an unavoidable reason," said a Gono Forum press release yesterday (Wednesday).

Contacted, Mokabbir told the news agency that their party's presidium members at a meeting, in presence of Dr Kamal Hossain, yesterday decided to defer schedule for his oath taking ceremony for a few days.

He said a new schedule will be declared later.

Mokabbir claimed that most presidium members of their party, including Dr Kamal Hossain, want him to take oath as the MP.

"Our leaders will now discuss the issue with the partners of the Jatiya Oikyafront, including BNP, and then announce the fresh schedule for taking oath," he said.

Sultan Mohammad Mansur said he will take oath at 11am today. "I didn't change my mind and schedule over taking oath. So, I'm going to be sworn in as per the schedule."

Earlier on March 3, both the MPs-elect sent separate letters to the Speaker requesting her to arrange their oath-taking ceremony on March 7.