‘Action against lawmakers if graft allegations found true’
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said action will be taken against Awami League lawmakers who were facing corruption inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) if the allegations against them were proven.
‘‘We will sack them if the allegations are proven,’’ Quader said at a press briefing at his secretariat office yesterday, after a reporter asked him whether AL will take action against the MPs whose bank statements have been sought by the National Bureau of Revenue and against whom ACC has launched inquiries.
Asked whether the image of the government is being tarnished due to the arrests of party leaders, Quader said he does not think so.
“The government is showing courage. This [the ongoing drives] would rather brighten the image of the government and the party,” he said.
Talking about the implementation of Road Transport Act-2018 from November 1 before formulation of its rules, he said the rules would not contain anything contrary to the law.
‘WOULD HAVE SHOWN HER DUE RESPECT, HAD I KNOWN’
Replying to another question, Quader said he was unaware that Hasina Mohiuddin -- widow of former Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) mayor late ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury -- was “forced off the stage” at a programme in the port city which he later attended on Sunday.
“Had I been aware, I would’ve given her the due respect... I would’ve allowed her on the stage,” Quader said.
CCC Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin allegedly “forced” Hasina Mohiuddin, also president of Chattogram City Mohila Awami League and mother of Deputy Minister of Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel, off the stage at the programme.
The incident happened during the representatives’ meeting of six district units of Chattogram division at a port city community centre.
Obaidul Quader was the chief guest at the programme, organised by Chattogram city AL. He had not reached the venue at the time of the incident.
Quader said no one mentioned the incident when he was at the event; he came to know about it on his way back to Dhaka.
The minister said he has already spoken to Nasir, who told him that they had earlier selected who would be on the stage, and Hasina Mohiuddin was not on the list.
“This is the mayor’s version. But had I been aware, I would’ve shown her the respect the widow of Mohiuddin Chowdhury deserves,” said Quader.
Meanwhile, several hundred leaders and activists of different associate organisations of Awami League yesterday formed a human chain in front of Chattogram Press Club around 3pm, protesting the incident.
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) city unit vice presidents Ekramul Hoque Rashel and Rahul Barua, and former general secretary Nurul Azim Roni, spoke at the human chain, among others.
They said if the city mayor does not offer an apology in 24 hours, they would launch a demonstration.
A group of BCL leaders and activists brought out a procession from GEC intersection, protesting the incident, which ended at Sholoshahar Gate No 2 area in the afternoon.
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