Speaker Hafiz Uddin urges ruling party leaders, activists to reform themselves

Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram today (20 October) urged leaders and activists of the ruling party to reform themselves, saying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken a firm stance on maintaining law and order, unlike previous governments.

"Those who are leaders and activists of the ruling party should correct themselves," he said while addressing a civic reception at the multipurpose hall of Lalmohan Upazila in Bhola around noon.

Referring to recent actions against ruling party figures, the Speaker said a female MP in Dhaka had come under scrutiny over allegations of occupying a hospital, following which the Prime Minister directed her to resign. He also referred to State Minister Ishraque Hossain's resignation.

Hafiz said Ishraque had acted to suppress a group of drug users who allegedly fired at police, but taking up arms himself was inappropriate.

"He did the right thing by trying to suppress criminals, but taking a weapon into his own hands was not appropriate. It does not suit someone at his level," he said.

The speaker said a state minister has security personnel, and if the police are unable to act effectively, party workers could assist. However, he said, it was unbecoming for a leader or minister to carry a weapon, whether legally or illegally.

He said the prime minister had directed Ishraque to resign for that reason, adding that ordinary people might appreciate his efforts to tackle criminals in the future.

Criticising the previous Awami League government, Hafiz alleged that Sheikh Hasina and lawmakers from her party had engaged in widespread looting during their 16 years in power and transferred national wealth abroad to build palatial residences.

He also alleged that even after being ousted, Awami League leaders were conspiring against the country from abroad.

"They thought they would remain in power until the Day of Judgment. The history of the Awami League will not be allowed to repeat itself in this country," he said.

The programme was chaired by Lalmohan Upazila BNP President Md Zafar Iqbal. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Shifat Bin Sadeque, Additional Superintendent of Police Satyajit Kumar Ghosh, government officials and leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations attended the event.

The upazila and municipal units of the BNP and its affiliated and associate organisations organised the reception to honour Hafiz after his election as chairman of the Asia-Pacific Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

After the programme, the speaker distributed financial assistance cheques among 150 underprivileged people in the upazila.