Abul Hossain likely to regain posts

Syed Abul Hossain, who was dropped from the Cabinet and from his post in the ruling Awami League (AL) over allegations of corruption in the Padma Multipurpose Bridge (PMB) project, is likely to be reinstated both in the Cabinet and the party. An influential minister, Abul Hossain fell from grace and earned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ire following widespread criticism for the allegations of graft brought against him by the World Bank (WB).
According to various party sources, the AL is thinking of placing Abul in a more important post. The AL’s 20th council concluded in October last year and the party’s post of international affairs still remains vacant. Sources said the party top brass might reinstate Abul Hossain in his former post or as presidium member. However, everything depends on party president Sheikh Hasina.
The allegations against Abul Hossain were recently dismissed by a Canadian court, leaving a question mark on the role of the World Bank and those who levelled corruption allegations against him.
Cabinet ministers, lawmakers and leaders of the AL and associate bodies came down heavily on the multilateral lending agency and others for the false allegations brought against the AL leader.
Abul Hossain stepped down from the information and communications technology (ICT) ministry on July 23, 2012, after his name was linked to the corruptions allegation in the PMB project
raised by the WB. Following his resignation as the communications minister over his suspected involvement in the bribery conspiracy in the PMB project, Abul Hossain had no place in the full-fledged central working committee. The post of the party’s international affairs secretary, which the AL had announced on January 2, 2013, was also denied to him.
The WB cancelled its USD 1.2-billion fund for the USD 2.9-billion project on June 29, 2012. Justifying its decision, the WB said the government did not follow its suggestion to send the officials linked to the alleged scams, who were holding powerful positions, on leave until the investigation was completed. Abul Hossain was appointed communications minister on January 6, 2009, after Sheikh Hasina formed her Cabinet on assuming power. Earlier, on Saturday, Abul Hossain said he was made a victim by the vested interests and the WB. “The WB’s allegation of corruption is not only false, but also a conspiracy. The allegation was made to tarnish my reputation and dignity and question my honesty and sincerity. Evil attempts were made to malign me,” Abul Hossain said in a statement.
“I had to quit as a minister for the conspiracy. A number of newspapers carried reports and editorials related to the alleged corruption. It tarnished my dignity. How would they react now? The WB was part of this conspiracy, which is clear when it didn’t invest in the Bridge project even after my resignation,” he said.

 

Abul Hossain likely to regain posts

Syed Abul Hossain, who was dropped from the Cabinet and from his post in the ruling Awami League (AL) over allegations of corruption in the Padma Multipurpose Bridge (PMB) project, is likely to be reinstated both in the Cabinet and the party. An influential minister, Abul Hossain fell from grace and earned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas ire following widespread criticism for the allegations of graft brought against him by the World Bank (WB). According to various party sources, the AL is thinking of placing Abul in a more important post. The ALs 20th council concluded in October last year and the partys post of international affairs still remains vacant. Sources said the party top brass might reinstate Abul Hossain in his former post or as presidium member. However, everything depends on party president Sheikh Hasina. The allegations against Abul Hossain were recently dismissed by a Canadian court, leaving a question mark on the role of the World Bank and those who levelled corruption allegations against him. Cabinet ministers, lawmakers and leaders of the AL and associate bodies came down heavily on the multilateral lending agency and others for the false allegations brought against the AL leader. Abul Hossain stepped down from the information and communications technology (ICT) ministry on July 23, 2012, after his name was linked to the corruptions allegation in the PMB project raised by the WB. Following his resignation as the communications minister over his suspected involvement in the bribery conspiracy in the PMB project, Abul Hossain had no place in the full-fledged central working committee. The post of the partys international affairs secretary, which the AL had announced on January 2, 2013, was also denied to him. The WB cancelled its USD 1.2-billion fund for the USD 2.9-billion project on June 29, 2012. Justifying its decision, the WB said the government did not follow its suggestion to send the officials linked to the alleged scams, who were holding powerful positions, on leave until the investigation was completed. Abul Hossain was appointed communications minister on January 6, 2009, after Sheikh Hasina formed her Cabinet on assuming power. Earlier, on Saturday, Abul Hossain said he was made a victim by the vested interests and the WB. The WBs allegation of corruption is not only false, but also a conspiracy. The allegation was made to tarnish my reputation and dignity and question my honesty and sincerity. Evil attempts were made to malign me, Abul Hossain said in a statement. I had to quit as a minister for the conspiracy. A number of newspapers carried reports and editorials related to the alleged corruption. It tarnished my dignity. How would they react now? The WB was part of this conspiracy, which is clear when it didnt invest in the Bridge project even after my resignation, he said.