• Drive to be continued targeting incumbent and Ex-lawmakers, ministers

TDS Desk:

The ruling party Awami League (AL) is determined to carry out a comprehensive anti-corruption drive against party leaders at all levels who have engaged in corruption and accumulated illegal wealth through various misdeeds, including post trades in forming committees and unlawful use of power.

Sources revealed that this drive will target current and former lawmakers, ministers, and party leaders holding key positions at the central to grassroots levels.

This decision comes as the government’s ongoing anti-corruption drive targets many former and current senior government officials for possessing significant illicit wealth. The government intends to continue these drives sequentially.

Reliable sources in the party have confirmed to the   that these anti-corruption drives are being carried out at the behest of Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina. Some key party leaders may lose their positions due to this anti-corruption initiative and Sheikh Hasina’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption. In some areas, the drives against party leaders have already commenced.

Party insiders indicate that in many instances, the party will internally address corruption cases by punishing corrupt leaders as per the party policies.

Recently, accusations of post-trading worth crores of taka have been made against top leaders of Dhaka North and Dhaka South city AL. Audio recordings of taking crores of taka for forming committees at the thana and ward levels are circulating on social media.

AL central committee leaders have taken these allegations seriously and are investigating. The two major unit committees will likely be dissolved soon, and council declarations for the two units may follow. Subsequently, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will investigate those involved in post-trading, according to party insiders.

Meanwhile, Jatiya Sangsad’s Deputy Speaker Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku’s son, SM Asif Shams, faces accusations of revenue evasion amounting to around Tk200 crores. An arrest warrant has been issued against him, but he has not been apprehended yet. Shams currently serves as the mayor of Bera municipality in Pabna.

Party sources indicate that organisational action will soon be taken against SM Asif Shams, and the ACC will start its investigation.

Recently, Ashraful Islam Babul, general secretary of Bagha upazila in Rajshahi, has been killed as a result of the widespread irregularities and rampant corruption among AL leaders. The incident has divided the politics of Rajshahi district and Rajshahi city AL into two factions, causing a political crisis.

Several AL leaders acknowledge that during their fourth consecutive term in power, some government officials and party leaders have engaged in various irregularities, including corruption. The recent corruption cases have shocked many, highlighting the government’s strict stance against corruption.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader recently requested journalists at a press conference to provide a list of corrupt individuals, including AL leaders. The AL would forward the list to the ACC, which has full authority to investigate the allegations. Only Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has the integrity to prosecute corruption.

Several AL leaders and lawmakers, including AL Joint General Secretaries AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Mahbubul Alam Hanif, have recently spoken against corruption in the Jatiya Sangsad, calling for maximum punishment for corrupt individuals within the government and the party.

AL Organising Secretary and Jatiya Sangsad Whip Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon said, “The anti-corruption drive will continue at all levels, and traditional methods to combat corruption will be modified, refined, and improved. Automation will be gradually introduced through advanced technology in all fields.”

He added, “Corruption will be eradicated by identifying all loopholes and ensuring greater accountability.”

Another AL Organising Secretary Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel said, “In the past 15 years, under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina, the country has achieved unprecedented development in all fields. In some cases, corruption has damaged the image of the government and the party. Sheikh Hasina has taken a strong stance against corruption, following in the footsteps of her father.”

“Action will be taken against all types of corruption. Those who engage in corruption will be identified, and action will be taken organisationally and according to the prevailing laws of the country.”

The prime minister has announced a tough stance against corruption amid widespread debate over the illegal assets of former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed and two current officials of the National Board of Revenue.

Sources indicate that this action will continue throughout the current term of the AL-led government. Tough measures will be taken not only against bureaucrats and members of various forces but also against politicians. Illegally acquired wealth will be exposed.