PM's adviser slates Jalil for his remark

Alauddin Ahmed, an adviser to Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina, came down heavily on Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil yesterday for his comment in parliament on the appointment of advisers to PM.

Jalil on Thursday in his post-budget speech at the Jatiya Sangsad said, “The advisers can't sit at the cabinet meetings; lots of secrets are discussed there; ministers took oath of secrecy but they did not as per the constitution.”

“If he said so out of resentment as he could not sit at the cabinet meeting, he could have personally told PM. It is indecent to say this in parliament,” Alauddin, prime minister's education, social development and political affairs adviser, said.

He told journalists at a reception given to him by the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Nou-Commando Association (Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Naval Commando Association) at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city.

He said it is not clear why he raised the question of advisers' appointment now. The system of recruiting advisers had been in practice since Zia's regime.

“It's up to the prime minister; if she wants to appoint a hundred advisers she can do that. She appointed me as her adviser and I am doing my job according to the terms of reference,” he said.

“Secretaries sit at the cabinet meeting and they do not take any oath of secrecy; how do they sit there?” he posed a question.

The reception was presided over by Emdad Hossain Matin, Co-chairman of the Freedom Fighters Naval Commando Association. Convener of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Central Command Council Maj Gen (retd) Helal Morshed Khan and Commodore (retd) AW Chowdhury spoke, among others.

Professor Alauddin is the chairman of the Naval Commando Association.