DHAKA, Jan 5, 2020 (BSS) – Turning down the allegation of BNP leaders that Awami League is going to establish political ‘dynasty’, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today charged BNP with establishing and practicing the culture of political ‘dynasty’ in Bangladesh.
“Not Awami League, it is BNP which patronizes and practices the culture of political ‘dynasty’ in the country,” he told a press briefing at his office at Secretariat here.
Castigating a comment of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the minister said, “I want to ask them (BNP) how Ishraq Hossain, son of Sadek Hossain Khoka, got the nomination for the mayoral post of Dhaka South City Corporation polls. Did he do politics?.”
“How Tabith Awal got the nomination in the first time. What was his qualification? His father is a vice chairman of BNP. Is it his qualification?,” said Hasan, also joint general secretary of Awami League.
He said BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia initiated the process of political dynasty in her party. “She (Khaleda Zia) gave her sister Khurshid Zahan Haque the leadership of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal (women wing of BNP). Later, she (Khurshid) was made vice chairman of BNP. After that, Begum Khaleda Zia made Khurshid the minister for women and children affairs.”
Her (Begum Zia) brother Sayeed Iskander was a lawmaker and she created a special post ‘special secretary general’ for Iskandar in BNP, the minister said, adding that her brother Shamim Iskander controlled all business of Bangladesh Biman.
He said Khaleda Zia appointed her nephew Saiful Islam Duek, son of her sister Beauty, as her personal secretary after assuming office in 2001. Duke misused his power and occupied a government building, he said adding his (Duek) brother was made president of Nilphamari unit of BNP.
The minister said, “One fine morning we saw that Begum Zia’s elder son Tarique Rahman was made the senior joint secretary general of the party. And now, Begum Zia is the chairperson of the party while her son Tarique is the acting vice chairman, though they both are convicted by the courts in graft cases.”
Besides, Hasan said BNP leader Nitai Roy Chowdhury and his daughter Nipun Roy Chowdhury are the members of BNP central committee while standing committee member of BNP Gayshwar Chandra Ray’s son is a member BNP central committee.
On the other hand, Mirza Abbas is a member of BNP Standing Committee and his wife is the president of Mohila Dal, he added.
“So, I want to say that the allegation of Fakhrul Islam is not applicable for Awami League. It is applicable for BNP. In our party (AL), no one gets post for his or her family reason,” Hasan said.
Criticizing the comment of Mirza Fakhrul on DSCC mayoral candidate of AL, the minister said Barrister Fazle Nur Taposh is a renowned lawyer of the country. “He (Taposh) was elected a member of parliament (MP) for three times. The party (AL) nominated him on the basis of his acceptance and capability,” he added.
Replying to a query, Hasan said Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, son of former mayor of Chattogram City Corporation Mohiuddin Chowdhury, has proved that he is capable as a lawmaker and also deputy education minister. Nowfel was also proved his capability as organizing secretary of AL, he added.
He said, “I firmly believe that it was a time-befitting decision to give the charge of Jubo League to Sheikh Fazle Nur Porash as he is a well educated person. He did his masters in English literature from a university of the USA. And now, he is a teacher by profession at North South University.”
“So, I want to tell BNP leaders that no one gets post in Awami League for family reason. It is BNP who practices the culture of political dynasty,” Hasan said.
Replying to another query on a comment of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) President Begum Sultana Kamal on the environment issue, Hasan said she always tried to draw attention by making rough comments.
“With due respect, I want to say that her comment is not acceptable totally. I want to urge her to see the recent parameter or data released by many international credible organizations on Bangladesh’s environment, climate and bio-diversity as well,” the minister said.
He said trees surrounding area was less than 18 percent before Awami League government assumed power, and it is now 22.04 percent. The forest coverage in the country was 9 percent before the government took charge while it is now 12.07 percent, he added.
Hasan said, “There was only 30 percent ETP (Effluent Treatment Plant) in the country’s industries while the ETP has been established now in 85 percent industries.”
Besides, he said the carbon stock has been raised to 139 million metric tons in the Sundarbans while it was 103 million metric tons in the past. “I want to urge Begum Sultana Kamal to see the data. After seeing the data, she can realize her mistake. The United Nations (UN) lauded the development data though she (Sultana) could not see the data,” the minister added.
He said the UN started looking after the progress after Awami League took charge and the government is working to protect environment and bio-diversity. “For this, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been credited with the Champion of the Earth award,” he added.
Hasan said the government has introduced ‘Bangabandhu Wild Life Award’ to encourage the protection of bio-diversity. On the other hand, the government has introduced Jatiya Poribesh Padak (National Environment Award) to motivate the countrymen for protecting environment, Hasan added.