'Nothing to say': Finance minister on Ahsan H Mansur's departure
He repeated the same response when asked again whether Mansur’s departure had been handled properly
Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has declined to comment on the departure of Ahsan H Mansur from the post of Bangladesh Bank governor following protests by central bank officials.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat today (26 February), the finance minister said he had "nothing to say" when asked whether Mansur's exit in the face of demonstrations by Bangladesh Bank officials was appropriate.
Earlier in the afternoon, newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostaqur Rahman met the finance minister. After the nearly 30-minute meeting, reporters sought to know about the discussions held on his first day in office. In response, the finance minister said, "No comments."
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When journalists later asked whether Mansur should have been removed in the manner he was, Amir Khasru again declined to elaborate, saying, "nothing to say."
He repeated the same response when asked again whether Mansur's departure had been handled properly.
His remarks come after a rare and dramatic confrontation unfolded at Bangladesh Bank yesterday, as a simmering internal revolt erupted into open defiance, forcing Ahsan H Mansur to exit the building even before his replacement was officially announced.
While Mansur was inside the headquarters, a group of officials gathered outside the main building in protest, accusing him of "autocratic" actions. By the afternoon, unverified reports of a new governor being appointed had added to the sense of uncertainty surrounding the central bank.
Officials familiar with the institution said such open dissent within the central bank has no known precedent in its history.
Later on that day, Md Mostaqur Rahman FCMA was appointed governor of Bangladesh Bank for a four-year term, replacing Ahsan H Mansur.
The Financial Institutions Division (FID) of the finance ministry issued a gazette notification yesterday (25 February) confirming the appointment of Mostaqur.
Mostaqur currently serves as chairman of the BGMEA Standing Committee on Bangladesh Bank and is the managing director and CEO of Hera Sweaters Limited.
He was also a member of the BNP's election steering committee during the 13th national election held earlier this month.
