I am not a friend of the Prime Minister, an ordinary worker of BNP: Mir Shahe Alam

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said that under no circumstances should I be presented as a friend of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. I perform political duties as an ordinary worker of BNP. He said these things at the ‘BSRF Dialogue’ organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat’s Media Center today, Thursday (July 9).
The dialogue, chaired by BSRF President Masudul Haque, was moderated by the organization’s General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal. The State Minister said that he and his family have been subjected to various types of torture in his long political life. Even after coming to power, his family is facing various criticisms. However, he urged not to make unnecessary debates about any member of the family getting a position on the basis of merit.
Mir Shahe Alam said that it is not right to present his relationship with BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman as ‘friendship’. He said, I humbly request through you again that no one should raise this issue. For any reason, in any way, I am not a friend of our respected leader, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. I am an ordinary worker of BNP.
He also said, I have met and talked to Tarique Rahman many times as a BNP worker due to my responsibilities in Bogra district after being elected as a public representative at different times. Since Bogra is Tarique Rahman’s home district, he naturally loves him and advises him at different times.
Mir Shahe Alam said, this is my only contact with the Prime Minister as a person of Bogra. He knows me, knows me personally – this is our relationship. But there is a big age difference between me and Tarique Rahman. Regarding the activities of his ministry, the State Minister said, he is working on the basis of transparency and coordination under the leadership of Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. He also mentioned that he feels safe as all important decisions are taken with the approval of the minister.
Regarding the local government elections, he said that money has been allocated in the current fiscal year’s budget for organizing five-tier local government elections. The Election Commission has also started initial preparations. The government sees organizing free, fair and acceptable elections as a big challenge.
Talking to reporters, the state minister said that when criticism started after his son was elected director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, I myself advised my son to resign. My son resigned the day after the first board meeting. However, he claimed that the issue did not get due importance in the media.
Responding to criticism about his assets, Mir Shahe Alam said, “Information about all assets has been disclosed in my election affidavit. Misleading information is being presented about the amount of assets. Land has been purchased in the name of various organizations for the construction of industrial establishments, not in the name of any individual. The source of money for these assets is legal and the concerned authorities can investigate if necessary.”
He also said that before presenting a person as corrupt or involved in irregularities, complete information should be verified. He also called for presenting complete statements in the news, not partial ones.
Seeking the cooperation of the media, the State Minister said that despite the criticism, he wants to gain the trust of the people through his work. He also expressed the hope that the constructive role of the media will make the government’s activities more effective. He requested the journalists to inform him if they come across any mistakes or irregularities along with publishing the news, so that there is an opportunity for necessary corrections.