Everybody now disowns Shamim
SM Golam Kibria Shamim changed his political identity multiple times in the last two decades and used his political clout to expand his business as a contractor.
When Rab arrested him from his office in the capital yesterday with a huge stash of cash, fixed deposit receipts and liquor, he introduced himself as a leader of central Jubo League, the youth front of the ruling Awami League.
But the youth front said he is in no way connected with the organisation.
Talking to some media outlets yesterday, Jubo League Chairman Omar Faruk Chowdhury said Shamim does not belong to his organisation.
Mizanul Islam Mizu, education, training and library secretary of Jubo League, said they heard that Shamim is senior vice-president of Narayanganj district Awami League.
Narayanganj district AL, however, said Shamim does not hold any post in the party unit.
Though there is confusion over Shamim’s current political status, AL sources said he was very close to central Jubo League leaders and also active in AL politics. He was seen with top ruling party leaders at various programmes in the last few years.
Our Narayanganj correspondent reports that Shamim carried out publicity campaigns as part of efforts to get the AL ticket to contest the last national election.
He is second among the seven children of Md Afsar Uddin from Dakkhinpara village in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon Upazila.
Afsar Uddin, former headmaster of Harihardi Government Primary School, died seven years ago.
Shamim left his ancestral home after passing SSC examinations and started living in the capital’s Sabujbag area, said locals.
His political journey began with Chhatra Dal, the student front of the BNP, in 1991. But he didn’t hold any post in the organisation, said sources.
Using political clout, he started doing business as a small contractor during the tenure of the BNP government in 1991. At that time, he lived in the capital’s Basabo area.
When the AL assumed power in 1996, Shamim hurriedly moved to change his political identity and started maintaining good relations with some AL leaders. He expanded his business, securing contracts from the housing and public works ministry.
In 2001, when the BNP-led alliance came to power, he became assistant secretary of Jubo Dal. He established good relations with Mirza Khokon, younger brother of the then public works minister Mirza Abbas.
At that time, he got work orders from the Public Works Department and expanded his business further.
As the AL returned to power in 2009, he began contacting some Jubo League leaders, and eventually got very close to them.
Delwar Hossain, organising secretary of Sammandi union Jubo League in Narayanganj, said Shamim last visited his ancestral home at Dakkhinpara village in May.
A three-storey building is being constructed at his village home, he added.
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