Three days after Jahidur Rahman became the first BNP lawmaker in the 11th National Parliament defying the party’s decision, four more MPs-elect of the party took oath to their offices on Monday (Apr 29).
MPs-elect Harun ur Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3, Aminul Islam of Chapainawabganj-2, Ukil Abdus Sattar of Brahmanbarhia-2 and Mosharraf Hossain of Bogura-4 were sworn in by Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury around 5.45pm at her offices in Parliament.
Speaking to Bangla Tribune before taking oath, Harun said that they are joining the parliament “in line with instructions from [acting BNP chairperson] Tarique Rahman.”
With five MPs now sworn in, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who won the Bogura-6, remains the only elected BNP leader yet to join parliament.
The BNP's Jatiya Oikya Front alliance bagged a total of eight seats, with two won by Gano Forum candidates.
The alliance pledged to stay away from parliament, citing irregularities and rigging in the 11th national elections.
Gano Forum MPs Sultan Mansur and Mokabbir Khan subsequently took their oaths of office in defiance of the alliance's stance.
Following their footsteps, BNP’s Jahid, elected from Thakurgaon-3 seat, took oath on Thursday (Apr 25).