Sultan Mansur says never compromised with 'Joy Bangla', Bangabandhu

Stating that he returned to parliament from a 'political prison' after 18 years, Jatiya Oikya Front member of parliament Sultan Mohammad Mansur on Thursday sought the cooperation of the leader of the House, reports UNB.

"As I became an MP from the opposition alliance, I may not make most of you happy with my speeches and role in parliament. But I seek your (speaker's) cooperation so that I can talk in favour of the people and tell white as white. I hope the leader of the House will also take it into consideration," he told the House.

Speaking on a point of order, Mansur started his speech paying homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman marking the historic 7 March. "I thank the speaker for allowing me to address the House on this historic day."

Mansur said people of his constituency elected him as their MP amid serious adversities on 30 December.

He, however, thanked the prime minister for ensuring a fair election in his seat without any major incident unlike in many other constituencies.

Mansur said he returned to parliament after 18 years. "I was supposed to be there in the Treasury benches as I did politics of that camp... but I had been in a political prison for the last 18 years."

He said although he contested the election from Oikya Front, he still maintains the ideals and political philosophy of Bangabandhu.

The Moulvibazar-2 MP said he never compromised on the issue of 'Joy Bangla' and Bangabandhu, even though he is now in the opposition bench.

Mentioning that the prime minister is taking the country forward following the path Bangabandhu showed, he hoped that Sheikh Hasina will unite the entire nation.

Hours after taking oath, Mansur joined the ongoing session of the 11th parliament.

Mansur sat in the second row of the opposition bench in the House as the day's proceedings of the Jatiya Sangsad resumed at 6:37pm with speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

Earlier in the day, Mansur, who won the 30 December election with BNP's election symbol 'sheaf of paddy' from Moulvibazar-2, took oath as a member of the 11th parliament. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered the oath around 11:00am at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

However, Gono Forum expelled him from the party for taking oath going against the party's decision.