Staff Reporter :
Reshuffling of the cabinet ahead of the national polls and whether the Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will remain a minister or not are under the jurisdiction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said it at a programme organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporter’s Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
In response to the question whether the government and the cabinet will be reshuffled before the next election, the Road Transport and Bridges Minister said, “I think the Prime Minister is definitely thinking about the matter. It is her jurisdiction. She is watching and media are also writing about it. I don’t think her (Prime Minister’s) attention is being avoided. After analyzing the reality, Prime Minister will do the best in the interest of the party and the interest of the country. It is her jurisdiction. I have nothing to do with it.”
In response to a query about the government’s decision about AK Abdul Momen as Foreign Minister, Obaidul Quader, one of the top policymakers of the government, said, “It is under the jurisdiction of Prime Minister as to whether AK Abdul Momen will remain as Foreign Minister or not.”
He said that the foreign minister is also a human being and can also fall sick.
“Now, I have no authority to say whether he will remain as a minister or not. It’s the PM’s jurisdiction to take decision on his ministership,” he added.
Besides, it’s not compulsory that the Foreign Minister will accompany the Prime Minister in every state visit, said Quader, questioning, “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited Bangladesh. Was (their) foreign minister with him?”
Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Abdul Momen did not accompany the Prime Minister during her India visit citing “illness”.
He said that the government led by Awami League President Sheikh Hasina wants friendship with India as the neighbouring country has given us what we wanted.
“BNP has built a wall of mistrust and no confidence between Bangladesh and India. The present government has broken the wall. India has given us what we wanted. So, Sheikh Hasina wants freidnship with the country,” Obaidul Quader said.
BSRF, an organization of the reporters working to cover the Secretariat’s news, organized the event on the issues of Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and political issues of ruling Awami League.
BSRF President Tapan Biswas presided over the dialogue while its General Secretary Masudul Haque moderated.
At the invitation of Indian PM Narendra Modi, Bangladesh PM Hasina is on a state visit to New Delhi from September 5 to 8. Hasina, now in New Delhi, is visiting India after three years.
In response to another query regarding BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s statement claiming that Sheikh Hasina couldn’t bring anything from India during her previous visits to the country, Obaidul Quader said, “We brought lots of things from India what we needed. They have exchanged the enclaves relieving there people from sufferings. We have won the maritime boundaries. Agreement signed to share the water of Kushiyara river and treaty on sharing Teesta water would also be signed.”
“The people across the globe have been suffering for various crises. During the period, India will give us what we need to save the country’s people. They are committed on the issue,” Quader added.
He said, “Sheikh Hasina hasn’t forgotten to discuss about the issue of Teesta treaty. India has also regretted. There are some problems with West Bengal on Teesta issue. The issues would be resolved through negotiation. Hope, it would be solved in future. I think it’s enough what we have already got.”
In reply to another query, Quader said, “No age bar should be given for a politician. It would depend on their own capacity. If a politician wants to retire, he will. There is no problem. If the party wants to get there services, it will decide to keep them as an adviser. If they don’t get scope to do politics, they will die before their death. So, they should get the chance to do politics till they want.”
In his speech, Quader said that they didn’t have any plan to bar motorbikes on the Padma Bridge. But, due to the uncontrolled operations of motorbikes, some problems were created. In this situation, the government was compelled to restrict bike operation through the bridge.
There is no chance of reopening bike operation through bridge soon, he added.
About operation of metrorail in Dhaka, he said that around 94 percent of its work has already been completed. Operation in the first part – from Uttara to Agargaon – would be started from December this year while another part – from Agargaon to Motijheel – will come to operation from December next year.
He also informed that the operation of the much awaited Kalna Bridge will be started from October this year. Whenever the Prime Minister will give time, the bridge would be opened.
