PM annoyed with Gazipur mayor
Annoyed at the Gazipur City Corporation mayor's controversial comments on Bangabandhu and Liberation War martyrs, top Awami League leaders have recommended taking action against Mohammad Zahangir Alam.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the AL president, expressed annoyance over Zahangir's controversial remarks, said party insiders.
The issue came up at the meeting of the AL Nomination Board for Local Body Elections, held at the Gono Bhaban on Friday night.
At the meeting, Zahangir's reply to a show cause notice was read out before Hasina. The ruling party had issued the notice to the mayor, also the Gazipur city AL general secretary, asking him to explain within 15 days why action should not be taken against him.
In his reply, the GCC mayor apologised and said he was sorry. But most of the participants of the meeting were not happy with his response, said sources.
The premier at the meeting wanted to know the opinions of her party colleagues about Zahingir's reply.
Almost all top AL leaders opined that the mayor violated party discipline and organisational action should be taken against him, said meeting sources.
Zahingir's statement went not only against the AL, but also against the country's constitution as Bangabandhu and Liberation War martyrs are part of it, meeting sources quoted Hasina as saying.
The AL chief also said the party's highest forum, the central working committee, in its meeting slated for November 19 will make a decision on the mayor.
Speaking at a programme, Zahingir recently made some comments on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the number of Liberation War martyrs. Footage of the mayor making the comments went viral on social media.
Incensed by the comments, leaders and activists of AL and its associated organisations demonstrated and demanded punishment for the mayor.
Zahangir, however, termed the allegations "a conspiracy against him" and blamed his political opponents for "spreading propaganda against him".
On October 2, a heated debate took place at the AL president's Dhanmondi office over the issue. The following day, the party issued the show cause notice to the mayor.
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