Ishraque says will step down today after disputing report on PM's order
'I will formally announce my resignation as state minister for liberation war affairs at a press conference at the National Press Club at 2pm today,' says Ishraque Hossain.
State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain has said he will announce his resignation at a press conference today (19 October), after brushing off a media report last night (18 October) that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed him to step down following controversy over him leading an anti-drug raid while wielding a gun.
In a Facebook post this morning, the Dhaka-6 MP said, "I will formally announce my resignation as state minister for liberation war affairs at a press conference at the National Press Club at 2pm today."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Last night, a media report citing top government sources said PM Tarique directed Ishraque to resign after his raid with a gun stirred up much discussion and criticism. Soon after, Ishraque disputed the news as untrue.
The Prothom Alo report said Tarique summoned Ishraque after a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat yesterday afternoon and instructed him to step down. But in a statement, Ishraque urged everyone to treat the report as unverified, false, and a rumour, saying no decision had been made at that time.
This morning, however, Ishraque confirmed through the Facebook post that he will step down.
He also pledged to intensify his anti-drug campaign as a BNP activist in his post. "Instead of working as a member of parliament or a state minister, I will work against drugs with a hundred times more enthusiasm as a BNP activist, InshaAllah," he said.
The state minister also said he has seen some self-proclaimed liberal individuals celebrating his decision to resign. He expressed hope that if future movements or struggles became necessary, they would return from abroad and join them, inspired by nationalist ideals.
The lawmaker also pledged to step up cleanliness drives and visit districts across the country to strengthen the organisational capacity of the Jatiyatabadi Projonmo Dal.
"Not minister, but drug eradication!" he wrote, ending the Facebook post.
Did not threaten anyone with gun: Ishraque
Responding to social media criticism on Saturday (17 October), Ishraque said he had joined efforts to build social resistance against drug dealers following repeated complaints from residents and what he described as ineffective police action.
"I did not fire any shots, nor did I threaten anyone with it. Yes, we conducted the operation, and we are building a social resistance," he said.
He said the firearm he carried was legally owned and that he had received repeated complaints about drug trading in the Dayaganj Ghuntighar area near Gandaria railway station, within his constituency.
Ishraque said he had informed police and held 30 to 40 meetings with them, but officers cited staff shortages and a lack of vehicles as reasons for their inability to act, prompting him to visit the area himself.
Ishraque's armed anti-drug drive puts BNP in a spot
Dhaka-6 MP Ishraque Hossain's display of a firearm during an anti-drug drive has triggered widespread social media criticism, causing unease within the BNP and the government.
Ishraque conducted a surprise raid on a suspected drug den in a slum beside the railway tracks in Ward 45 under Gandaria Police Station on Saturday, detaining six people suspected of involvement in drug trading.
While the campaign against drug dens has drawn support, questions have been raised over Ishraque's approach, particularly his participation in the operation without direct law enforcement involvement and his display of a firearm.
The controversy intensified after a video of the incident was posted on his official Facebook page, prompting criticism of his actions as a state minister and questions about the role of law enforcement agencies.
