Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is now in New York to attend the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly [UNGA] apparently with a view to consolidating her new government’s image in the international arena.
But during the visit, which is tight scheduled along with a gorgeous birthday party of her own, she will accompany an entourage of at least 180 members, mostly of her own hand-picked persons, or nominated by her close associates.
Questions have been raised why the PM, who heads a least developed country like Bangladesh, is accompanying such a huge entourage? Who will bear its cost? Why those persons who are ‘totally unnecessary’ included in the entourage?
Questions have also been raised whether all of them were worthy enough to visit with the PM? Or, some of them arranged the tour with the Premier to make a fortune in the future?
There is widespread allegation that some influential party men and government officials have found it to be a pleasure trip to America. And they will pass a busy time only in shopping.
Concerned circles are also very critical of the move. They have questioned her wisdom of taking such a large team incurring huge cost to the national exchequer.
The PM had flown with her team enjoying the luxurious hospitality of Emirates Airlines, but not boarding the national flag carrier Bangladesh Biman.
And the Premier along with her entourage will stay at highly expensive Grand Hyatt Hotel at NYC.
The PM is going to celebrate her 68th birthday on September 28 at the five-star hotel where several suites and a huge ballroom have already been kept reserved.
According to information available, this is the largest ever entourage team of the Premier in a foreign visit compared with her NYC tour in 2013 with about 140 persons.
Although, the Foreign Minister AH Mahmud Ali said there were 50 government delegates in the entourage, in fact the number of entourage is nearly four times higher.
It is amazing that Health Secretary M Niaz Uddin Miah, whose fake freedom-fighter certificate [to extend service tenure] is cancelled by the government, has got a room in the PM’s entourage.
Not only that, there are nine ministers and advisors, about two dozens of businessmen, a bunch of twenty journalists, a team of ruling party leaders and some government officials, including seven secretaries and SSF personnel.
In addition, there are a few ex MPs and ex ministers also like Dipu Moni and Dilip Barua. In NYC, the PM will meet with the heads of state and government of several countries, including India, Nepal, Chile, Qatar and Belarus. Critics say, the meetings with the Indian counterpart Norendra Modi and some one from the US to be most important, as because, India and the US matters most for Bangladesh and Awami League. Bangladesh has some unresolved issues with India like Teesta, trade and the BSF killings on the border. So, the PM should take the ground realities into consideration when she sits with the Indian Premier in NYC, they also say. She is scheduled to reach home via London on October 2.
