Sagar Biswas :
Removal of ruling party Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam from the LGRD Ministry has been evaluated by his colleagues in the cabinet and party in different ways.
When Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader termed it a ‘desire’ of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Information Minister Hasaul Haq Inu said he was not removed based on any ‘public allegation’.
On the other hand, AL International Affairs secretary and former minister Colonel [retd] Faruk Khan expressed optimism about ‘strong return’ of Ashraf in politics while veteran AL leader Suranjit Sengupta hoped that he would play an ‘honest role’ in the country’s politics as the son of a national hero, wherever he is posted.
Referring to Syed Ashraf’s removal, Inu on Saturday said, “Syed Ashraf was not removed from LGRD Ministry based on any public allegation. The Prime Minister made the change, and it is completely under her [PM] jurisdiction. I think, it will not tarnish the image of any minister or leader.”
“If the Prime Minister wants, I will have to quit from the cabinet. It is totally Prime Minister’s jurisdiction when and where she will drop or include anyone in the cabinet. I’m now giving statement as a minister, but if the PM wants I must leave the ministry tomorrow,” said Obaidul Quader while he was visiting Gazipur to see the condition of Dhaka-Mymensigh highway yesterday.
Expressing optimism about ‘good’ return of Syed Ashraf in organizational activities, Faruk Khan yesterday said, “He [Ashraf] was not sacked from the cabinet. The step has been taken as he can perform his duty in the party well.”
“There is no cleansing operation in the cabinet. Changing in the cabinet is a regular event. It was done in Bangladesh earlier and it will also be done in the future,” he said.
Echoing the same view Suranjit Sengupta said, “It’s totally Prime Minister’s jurisdiction…who will get which portfolio in the cabinet. Ministry is not a big factor for Syed Ashraf. He will play honest and significant role as the son of a national hero, wherever he is posted.
But it seems, Syed Ashraf is not paying any heed to theses comments. “My blood does not betray. My father followed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and sacrificed his life for Bangabandhu…..I inherited that blood. I do not do politics for the sake of personal gain,” he said in his first reaction at an Iftar party in Dhaka yesterday.
Party sources said, he will go to London on July 15 to meet his family ahead of Eid ul Fitr. But, this time Syed Ashraful’s London visit has evoked curiosity among many as he was made minister without portfolio on Thursday.
Meanwhile, speculation runs high in the political circle about the further possible reshuffle in the cabinet following the dramatic removal of Syed Ashraf.
It is now a hot talk in ruling party’s internal circle that a couple of controversial ministers, such as incumbent Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Food Minister Qamrul Islam, are likely to be removed for their alleged involvement in corruption, which triggered scandalous publicity against the government.
Some party insiders, however, differed with the view saying that dynamic state ministers may be included in their ministries to ensure ‘check and balance’, if the duo are not removed this time.
Insiders said, a new minister is likely to be included in the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry. The ministry is still vacant after former Awami League leader Abdul Latif Siddiqui was sacked for his derogatory comment against Islam.
Moreover, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has recently earned huge criticism on different issues, including publishing result of new college admission seekers through digital system. He has also developed an ‘unsmooth relationship’ with the ministry’s secretary.
“I can’t tell you exactly whether there will be reshuffle in the cabinet again. But it is sure that there will be a recasting in the cabinet. It’s hard to say how and when. The Prime Minister is handling this issue…..better wait and see,” Finance Minister AMA Muhith has said.
