The BNP yesterday (Friday) demanded the resignation of finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith and the governor of the Bangladesh Bank, Dr Atiur Rahman, over stealing of USD 80 million from a Bangladesh Bank’s account with the US Federal Reserve Bank in New York. "They (Muhith and Atiur) are responsible for ruining the country’s economy. How can they remain in office even after this? They have no ethical right to hold their posts. Thus, we demand that they resign without any delay, taking responsibility for the heist," said BNP joint secretary general, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed. Addressing a press briefing at the party’s headquarters at Naya Paltan in the city, he said that because of this the country’s economy would suffer.
He alleged that ruling party men are involved in stealing the money. The BNP leader said it was the most notorious act of swindling, involving a huge amount of money, in the country. He said the Bangladesh Bank has admitted that an influential and organised section of the ruling party is involved in the incident. “The country's citizens also believe that it is not possible to commit such an act without the help of those in the government," he said.
Rizvi said Bangladesh is heading towards a severe crisis due to absence of democracy and accountability. “It is unfortunate but true that Bangladesh’s money is now in casinos of the Philippines,” he said.
He said the involvement of big fishes in the swindling will be unearthed, if passports of top Bangladesh Bank officials and political leaders are checked. These people recently visited countries like Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Dubai on various pretexts. Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Ruhul
Quddus Talukder Dulu and Khairul Kabir Khokan, among others, were present on the occasion.
Addressing a meeting a the Bangladesh Photojournalists' Association, BNP standing committee member, Nazrul Islam Khan, expressed concern over the swindling of money. “Bangladesh's money deposited in other countries is also being swindled due to absence of accountability of the government to the people,” he said while addressing a meeting demanding withdrawal of sedition cases filed against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The Labour Party, an ally of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, organised the meeting with Shamsuddin Parvej, city president of the party, in the chair.