JaPa MPs elect change stance, to take oath

Staff Reporter :
Changing its earlier decision, the ruling Awami League (AL) supported newly elected Jatiya Party (JaPa) lawmakers will join the swearing-in ceremony scheduled to take place at Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Bhaban today.

According to JaPa sources, the party issued a letter to the Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury informing their decision not to attend the swearing-in event due to the absence of party Chairman GM Quader in Dhaka. However, JaPa chairman confirmed a change in the decision while talking to this correspondent on Tuesday evening.

JaPa won only 11 seats in the 12th parliamentary polls against 26 seats shared with the ruling AL before the polls.

However, the party secured 23 seats in the 11th parliamentary polls and played the role of opposition in House.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will administer the oath at 10:00 am on Wednesday for the newly elected members of the parliament (MP).

Apart from it, newly cabinet members will take oath on Thursday.

In the 12th general election that held on Sunday, JaPa managed to win in only 11 constituencies, though it had negotiated with ruling Awami League for 26 seats.

A total of 265 JaPa candidates contested in 265 seats in the 12th parliamentary polls, but many of them withdrew their candidature before the balloting fearing that the polls won’t be free and fair under the AL-led government.

As per polls result, JaPa Chairman GM Quader, Secretary General Mujibul Haque, Co-Chairmen Anisul Islam Mahmud and ABM Ruhul Amin Hawladar won in their respective constituencies in Rangpur, Kishoreganj, Chattogram and Patuakhali.
Besides, four senior leaders, JaPa presidium member Masud Uddin Chowdhury was elected from Feni-3, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed from Thakurgaon-3, Golam Kibria from Barishal-3, AKM Selim Osman from Narayanganj-5, Ashrafuzzaman from Satkhira-2, AKM Mostafizur Rahman from Kurigram-1 and Shariful Islam from Bogura-2.

The source further said GM Quader will return to Dhaka within one or two days and will decide their next course of action through consultation with party’s senior leaders.

A total of 62 independent candidates elected in the 12th national polls. Of them, 58 are from Awami League.