Rony not resigning
Defends what he had done
After hours of high drama, Awami League lawmaker Golam Maula Rony yesterday finally did not step down as an MP over beating two journalists.
Before meeting the Speaker in parliament, Rony told newsmen around 12:30pm that he was going to resign. Even he posted a status on Facebook, “Probably I am going to resign.”
But within three hours, the controversial AL legislator reversed his decision and briefed reporters that he was not going to step down at this moment.
“I haven't done anything wrong on that day [by beating two journalists]. I have used very little strength. Defending myself as an MP, I have enforced my right to self-protection within the law,” he claimed.
Asked whether he had kicked the journalists, Rony replied in the negative. But when the lawmaker (Patuakhali-3) was reminded of a video footage showing him beating up and kicking the newsmen, he said, “I also have a video footage of that incident and I will prove the issue in the court.”
Speaking at the press conference at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, he further noted that if his party and the government were embarrassed at his activities, he would resign at that moment.
On Sunday, Rony beat up reporter Imtiaz Momin and cameraperson Mohsin Mukul of private television channel Independent TV at his Topkhana Road office in the capital. The two are members of a team that produces a crime investigation show, Talash, for the channel.
About posting the Facebook status, Rony said it was an outcome of his personal emotion. He also mentioned that he had decided to resign as he was deeply hurt after knowing that his opponent Salman F Rahman (an owner of Independent TV) was given more priority and importance by the law enforcers and the government.
“I have secured bail from a lower court in a case filed by the Independent TV. But he [Salman] didn't even bother to seek bail in the case filed by me. I felt so hurt when I thought that they [TV authorities] are more powerful than an elected representative,” maintained Rony.
The legislator added: “There is a myth about him [Salman] that he is very powerful in the government and also in the party. But in fact he is no one in the party. He doesn't hold any post in the party.”
Rony also complained that Salman and his Independent TV have “victimised” him as he has been speaking publicly about Salman's involvement in the share market scam.
Regarding his meeting with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Rony said the Speaker told him that neither she nor parliament was embarrassed at his activities.
The lawmaker also informed newsmen that he would file two cases with the High Court soon against the Independent TV and others concerned on charges of intruding on his office and defaming him.
Describing the assault on journalists by Rony as shameful and sad, several leaders of the ruling AL strongly condemned the attack.
But the MP yesterday claimed that his party did not say anything to him about the incident.
Contacted, AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said there is no scope for taking organisational actions against Rony as he does not hold any party post.
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