Sudden 'special allocations' in 3 Dhaka constituencies before polls: BBC Bangla questions Asif Mahmud

Ahead of the national elections scheduled for February, the Ministry of Local Government has allocated special development funds to 274 religious and social institutions in Dhaka. 

Except for one, all 273 institutions fall within just three parliamentary constituencies, according to a BBC Bangla report.

The report published today (20 November) questioned why the ministry has directed special allocations to only three constituencies ahead of the elections when Dhaka has a total of 20 parliamentary constituencies. 

BBC Bangla analysed the locations and allocations of the 274 mosques, madrasas, temples, crematorium grounds, and graveyards that received special funds. It found that, except for one, all 273 institutions are located in Dhaka-9, Dhaka-10, and Dhaka-11 constituencies.

BBC found that more than half – 145 mosques, madrasas, and temples – are in Dhaka-10, covering Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, Hazaribagh, and New Market areas. 

Just a week ago, Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan became a voter in Dhaka-10. 

When asked why the ministry allocated the majority of funds to religious and social institutions in this constituency, he told BBC Bangla that he did not know whose recommendation guided the allocations.

The remaining 128 projects of the 273 institutions are in the other two constituencies, Dhaka-9 and Dhaka-11. Candidates from these constituencies in the upcoming election include National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam and NCP Senior Joint Secretary Member Tasnim Jara.

When BBC questioned whether special allocations were directed only to constituencies where student advisers and NCP leaders are contesting, Asif Mahmud responded, "The period for special allocations has not ended. Many other areas across the country are also receiving funds."

According to election commission law, no such allocations can be made after the election schedule is announced, said the report. 

Professor Mohammad Tariqul Islam, member of the Local Government Reform Commission, told BBC Bangla, "Providing special allocations to certain constituencies just before elections is undoubtedly alarming."

Previously, on 5 October, the ministry allocated Tk42 lakh to 14 religious and social institutions across at least ten different areas of Dhaka, which did not raise similar questions.

Over half allocations in Dhaka-10

Dhaka-10, part of Dhaka South, covers Dhanmondi, Hazaribagh, Kalabagan, and New Market. Of the 274 institutions receiving special allocations on 16 October, 145 were in this constituency, receiving Tk4.43 crore of the total Tk8.29 crore.

Asif Mahmud recently announced his candidacy from Dhaka and changed his voter registration from Muradnagar to Dhaka-10 on 10 November. 

Asked about the timing of allocations, he told BBC Bangla, "Special allocations are being made across the country. Why report only on Dhaka constituencies?" 

He added, "I don't know who applied for allocations in these institutions. Applications come in various ways, and allocations are made based on those applications."

The 13th national parliamentary elections are expected early next month, and Asif Mahmud is anticipated to resign as adviser to contest from Dhaka-10. 

Why remaining allocations to Dhaka-9, Dhaka-11

Ministry officials told BBC Bangla that allocations are usually based on a district's population. Dhaka district, including its two city corporations, has 20 constituencies. Of the 274 institutions allocated funds on 16 October, 145 were in Dhaka-10, while 128 of the remaining 129 fell under Dhaka-9 and Dhaka-11. Dhaka-11 covers Badda and Rampura, and Dhaka-09 includes Sabujbagh and Khilgaon.

The 128 institutions in these two constituencies each received Tk3 lakh, totalling Tk3.84 crore.

Adviser Mahmud said, "Allocations are made only if applications are submitted, and someone from these areas must have applied." He added that more special allocations will be made in the coming days.