Parties show mixed reaction

Major political parties including ruling Awami League (AL), main opposition BNP and Jatiya Party (JP) yesterday expressed mixed reactions over the resignation of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Lt Gen Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury.
Main opposition BNP welcomed the resignation demanding a probe into his activities to find out if he resorted to corruption.
AL termed his resignation a personal matter saying that he might not have felt comfortable with the new government and resigned.
"ACC chairman might have resigned due to feeling uncomfortable with the new government," AL Joint General Secretary Obaidul Quader told The Daily Star.
BNP Vice President MK Anwar said, "He, (ACC chief) though late, has taken the right decision. The government should carry out an investigation into his works to see whether he was involved in any corruption during his tenure."
Talking to The Daily Star the BNP leader said, "Country's economy suffered immensely in many ways because of him apart from his individual corruption.”
“If necessary, a parliamentary probe committee can be formed to carry out an impartial and neutral investigation into the 'personal corruption' of Hasan Mashhud,” he added.
Asked whether the anti-corruption drive would be hampered with Mashhud's resignation, Anwar said, "Not at all; it will be back on the right track as the present government is committed to neutral and impartial anti-corruption drive.
“With his resignation vindictiveness in the anti-corruption drive will come to an end,” he added.
When asked JP Acting Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud expressed his unwillingness to comment over if the ACC boss resigned on personal ground or not.
Another JP leader preferring not to be named said that the ACC chief should be appointed through open discussion in the parliament to avoid controversy in future and a special parliamentary committee could be formed in this regard.
Workers Party (WP) General Secretary Bimal Biswas said, “ACC chief might have resigned on personal ground but it won't be wise to comment without knowing the reason," he told The Daily Star.
AL leader Obaidul, JP leader Barrister Anis and WP leader Bimal said his resignation would cast no impact on the anti-graft drive as the government is committed to continuing the campaign against corruption.