Home minister admitted 'political hypocrisy', law minister misled parliament: Hasnat

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser (Southern region) of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Cumilla-4 MP, on Sunday accused Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed of effectively admitting to "political hypocrisy" over electoral commitments, while alleging that Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman had repeatedly misled parliament regarding judicial administration.

Speaking at a national convention on energy, economy, human rights, reform and referendum organised by his party at Kakrail in the capital, Hasnat Abdullah said the Home Minister had openly conceded in parliament that his party accepted all decisions taken by the interim government solely to secure electoral participation – commitments they now have no intention of honouring. "This is nothing but hypocrisy towards the people of this country."

Turning to police reform, he alleged that the government has no genuine interest in restructuring the Police Commission, adding that the force continues to be used as a political instrument, a pattern he said persisted for 17 years.

Hasnat Abdullah noted that the minister has concentrated all authority over transfers and promotions within the police force in his own hands. "Police officers are human beings, too. We want their security ensured. Reform is necessary for that, yet the government is paying no heed."

On judicial reform, he accused the Law Minister of misleading parliament.

While the minister claimed that judicial postings and promotions fall outside his jurisdiction, the NCP leader said the reality on the ground tells a different story. "On paper, it may not be under the Law Minister, but in practice, judicial appointments and promotions flow directly from his hands."

Drawing a pointed parallel with the ousted Awami League government, he warned that the current administration is increasingly bent on concentrating power. "Just as Sheikh Hasina kept all authority centralised, this government too wants everything in its own hands. But they are forgetting that even Hasina, at the height of her power, could not survive."

Hasnat Abdullah also claimed that voters who backed the BNP now feel deceived, saying the government has already begun betraying public trust and is heading down the path of fascism.

He called on supporters to reorganise and vowed that all such attempts would be collectively resisted.