Two lawmakers-elect of the Gonoforum may take oath and join the 11th parliament, Dr Kamal Hossain said yesterday. 

"We've rejected the election, but the way our two candidates came out successful in such an election through competition is their big achievement. So, we're thinking positively about sending them to parliament," said the Gonoforum chief.

He was addressing a press briefing at Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad after an extended meeting of the party.

Later, Gonoforum leader Sultan Mohammad Munsur, who was elected from Moulvibazar-2, told this correspondent that he and his party colleague Mukabbir Khan, elected from Sylhet-2, will take oath as lawmakers of 11th parliament.

Gonoforum is a key component of the Jatiya Oikyafront, which earlier had termed the parliamentary polls a farce and demanded the Election Commission immediately hold a fresh election under a nonpartisan interim government.

“We reject this so-called result. At the same time, we demand fresh polls under a nonpartisan government,” Dr Kamal, also convener of the Oikyafront, told the press hours after the polling was over at 4:00pm on December 30.

The BNP, another major component of the Oikyafront, said the next day that its leaders elected in the 11th parliamentary polls will not take oath as they have already rejected the results.

The party took the decision at a meeting of its standing committee alleging various irregularities and violations, including ballot stuffing and ouster of opposition polling agents, from voting centres.

Contacted yesterday, Mirza Fakhrul refused to make any comment on the Gonoforum's latest position.

“I am in Noakhali and I am not aware of any such decision. That's why I don't want to make any comment on this,” Fakhrul told this correspondent.

Another Oikyafront leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna, who is also coordinator of Nagorik Oikya, told The Daily Star that the alliance leaders will sit at 11:00am today to decide whether its MPs-elect will take oath.

This is the first time any Gonoforum leader won in the national election since formation of the party in 1999. 

At yesterday's briefing, Dr Kamal said the two leaders of the party can play a positive and meaningful role in parliament after taking oath.

“If others think it won't be possible for them to play a good role in parliament, they may take a decision in line with that thinking.” 

In reply to a query, Dr Kamal said he thinks it will not create any problem with the BNP if the two MPs-elect take oath.

“I think the Jatiya Oikyafront will remain intact to create pressure on the government,” he said.

“We've formed the Oikyafront so that we can realise our demand for a free and fair election. We believe that if Oikyafront functions effectively, we'll be able to mount pressure on the government over the election and force it to discharge its duties obeying laws.”

The Gonoforum chief said that in principle, the party is in favour of keeping the unity and will take a positive decision in this regard after discussions.

He added that the Oikyafront has kept its movement on and it may be intensified further in the days to come.

Replying to a question, he said they may move the court over the election if they get the evidence of serious Electoral fraud.

In the December 30 polls, 280 candidates of Oikyafront and BNP-led 20-party alliance ran with BNP's electoral symbol “sheaf of paddy”.

The Oikyafront managed to win only seven seats and two of those were bagged by Gonoforum candidates.

The AL-led grand alliance secured 288 seats. JP, a key component of the alliance, bagged 22. Independent candidates got three.

The election in Gaibandha-3 constituency was rescheduled for January 27 following the death of a candidate, and re-polling will take place in three centres in Brahmanbaria-2 on January 9.

Gonoforum leader Mukabbir Khan had initially quit the race as he was denied nomination from the Oikyafront.

The alliance nominated missing BNP leader Ilias Ali's wife Tahsina Rushdir Luna. But she lost her candidacy following a High Court order.

It then called back Mukabbir to contest in the election as BNP candidate. He contested the polls with Gonoforum's electoral symbol “rising sun”.

Munsur won from Moulvibazar-2 with BNP's symbol “sheaf of paddy”. 

On October 13, BNP and three other political parties formally launched an alliance called Jatiya Oikyafront, around two months before the national election.

The alliance unveiled an 11-point goal and promised to bring sweeping reforms in governance system if voted to power.

Three other components of the alliance are Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) led by ASM Abdur Rob, Manna's Nagorik Oikya, and Krishak Sramik Janata League led by Kader Siddique.

Rob and Kader could not be reached for comments.

At yesterday's briefing, Gonoforum General Secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu in a written statement described the way the December 30 election was manipulated and rigged.

So, he said, those declared winner by the Election Commission were not actually “elected”.

Krishak Sramik Janata League has walked out of Jatiya Oikyafront alleging that the alliance failed to wage movement against the government.

The party President Kader Siddique made the announcement at a press conference in the capital Dhaka this morning.

Kader blamed the Oikyafront leaders for their inactive role and failure to wage movement against the government.

The Oikyafront, which was formed before the last parliamentary election, could not play any role in waging anti-government movement for gas price hike and such other current issues, he said.

However, he vowed to carry out movement through forming a new platform for establishing the people’s right to vote.

The Jatiya Oikyafront is an alliance of BNP, Gonoforum, Nagorik Oikya, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab) and some other political parties.

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain today said those making their own fortunes depriving people of their ownership of the country and voting rights using the name and portraits of Bangabandhu are committing the 'most grievous crime'.

"They (AL) are using the name and portraits of Bangabandhu, but indulging in acts contrary to his ideals. I think it's the most grievous crime to work against Bangabandhu's ideal and dreams using his name," he said.

Speaking at a discussion, Dr Kamal further said, "Instead of exercising people's power in protecting their interests, they (AL) are making their own gains showing his photos and using his name. It's completely contrary to Bangabandhu's dreams. So, we should make people understand what Bangabandhu's real dreams were. Then, they'll put up a resistance against the abuse."

Gonoforum arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club on the occasion of National Mourning day commemorating the 44th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Dr Kamal, a close associate of Bangabandhu, said the Father of the Nation had struggled throughout his life for establishing pure democracy and making people owners of the country.

"If anyone thinks the country's power and ownership belong to an individual and a party it will be tantamount to disrespecting Bangabandhu and defying his instruction. Because, he made people owners of the country through the constitution signed by him," the Gonoforum chief said.

He said Bangabandhu even could not imagine an autocratic regime would rule Bangladesh. "Those who want to deprive people of their ownership of the country deviating from Bangabandhu's dreams are bound to fail."

Dr Kamal said those who are now exercising power, even at the grassroots level, are not elected with people's votes. "They're making their own fortunes instead of protecting people's interests. They're depriving people of their rights and power."

Referring to the December-30 national election, he said people were deprived of their voting right. An election system has been established which is completely opposite to a free and fair election.

Dr Kamal said Bangabandhu clearly defined in the constitution that democracy means a system where people at all levels will be the owners of the country, and all the representatives will be elected through people's votes in a credible election. "But his instruction has been ignored completely."

The Gonoforum president said those usurped power and indulging in plundering abusing power are not owners of the country. "People's ownership of the country will be ensured if they can freely exercise their voting rights through a fair and credible election."

He recalled that late autocratic ruler HM Ershad had tried to stay in power for a longer time, but he was ousted through a united and fierce movement.

The Gonoforum chief urged people to get united to realise their rights, restore their ownership of the country and materialise the dreams of Bangabandhu.

Gonoforum executive president Prof Abu Sayeed, general secretary Reza Kibria, presidium members Mokabbir Khan, MP, Mohsin Rashid and joint general secretaries Ameen Ahmed Afsary and Mostak Ahmed, among others, spoke at the programme.

 

 

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today thanked Dr Kamal Hossain for realising the "mistake" that Jatiya Oikyafront had made by incorporating Jamaat-e-Islami in the recent 11th parliamentary election.

"I would like to thank Dr Kamal Hossain for realising their political mistake," Minister Hasan said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.

Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal yesterday said it was a mistake on the part of his party Gonoforum to have joined the December 30 polls with Jamaat leaders contesting under the alliance banner.

Read more

Taking Jamaat men along to polls a mistake

Hasan Mahmud further said that the JOF will make another mistake if their elected candidates do not take the oath to join the 11th Parliament.

"I hope they will realise it and join the parliament by taking the oath of office," said the minister.

"A party is trying to drag the country backwards. I think no conspiracy against the country will work," he said.

Responding to a question about the recently enacted Digital Security Act, he said that the government will work on it so that no panic remains among the journalists about the act.

"I always welcome all types of criticism. When I was the Environment Minister, English daily The Daily Star published several reports criticising the ministry, even they published cartoons. But, we gave them an environment award. Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) was also awarded although they had criticised the ministry," said the minister.

Mentioning that criticism speeds up anyone's journey, the minister said, "But, blind and one-sided criticism is not useful. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has introduced the culture of welcoming any criticism."

"This time, Awami League has pledged that the country's villages will be turned into cities. Coordinated efforts are required to move the country forward. Mass media also play a vital role in this effort," said Hasan Mahmud.

He also said that a huge revolution has been made not only in the country's online media but also in print, electronic and social media.

"Around 8 crore people are using social media," he mentioned.