Heated exchanges erupted in the parliament today over allegations of irregularities in the appointment of fertiliser dealers.
NCP MP Hasnat Abdullah slammed ruling lawmakers for securing dealerships for their relatives using political clout and financial exchanges.
The debate began during the question-answer session as Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid responded to Hasnat's allegations, with opposition lawmakers repeatedly interrupting him.
Citing several media reports, Hasnat alleged that fertiliser dealerships had been awarded to the sons and brothers-in-law of the MPs and their nephews' wives. In Thakurgaon, he claimed, 28 of the 31 dealers were affiliated with the BNP, including the wives, children, and nieces of party leaders.
He further alleged that a "festival" of dealership appointments had taken place across the country, with some reserved-seat MPs issuing demi-official (DO) letters in exchange for money.
Referring to the BNP's position in 2009, when it was in opposition, Hasnat recalled that the party's then secretary general, and currently the President of Bangladesh, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, had described assigning reserved-seat MPs responsibility for opposition constituencies as unconstitutional.
"Now the BNP is doing the same thing. It is an unconstitutional act," he said.
Hasnat asked the agriculture minister whether the "unprecedented corruption" in the dealership appointment process, through which MPs' wives, children and other relatives allegedly secured dealerships while former Awami League-linked business operators were accommodated, had been planned. He also asked whether the appointments would be reviewed.
"When will this culture end in our country that whenever I become an MP, my son becomes a businessman, my wife becomes a businesswoman and my nephew becomes a businessman? I want a clear answer from the honourable minister," he said.
In response, Aminur Rashid said he viewed the word "festival" positively.
"He (Hasnat Abdullah) said there was a festival surrounding fertiliser dealerships. We actually want it to be a festival that people can celebrate. I understand the word festival in a positive sense. If you view it negatively, that is a different matter," he said.
His remarks prompted loud protests from opposition lawmakers.
The minister, who said he was new in office, complained that conversations among lawmakers were making it difficult for him to respond and urged them to refrain from "side talk". He added that dissatisfied members could raise another supplementary question, which he would answer.
Explaining the appointment process, Aminur Rashid said two committees had been formed at the district and upazila levels to appoint fertiliser dealers. Applications were invited and assessed against established rules and criteria.
His explanation was again interrupted by opposition protests, prompting Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal, who was presiding over the sitting, to draw the attention of the opposition chief whip in an attempt to restore order. Several ruling party lawmakers were also seen urging opposition members to return to their seats.
The minister continued, saying applications were initially submitted at the upazila level before being forwarded to the deputy commissioner's office. A district-level committee then scrutinised the applications, with local MPs eligible to serve as advisers to the committee.
As opposition lawmakers continued shouting and standing up from their seats, the deputy speaker repeatedly urged them to remain seated and listen to the minister.
"We have repeatedly said that the honourable member asked a question and the honourable minister is answering it. If members are not satisfied with the answer, we will take another question. But why should we turn ourselves into schoolchildren by creating such a commotion? Please sit patiently and listen to his answer. Honourable minister, please continue," Kayser Kamal said.
However, protests continued, with several opposition lawmakers standing and seeking the floor.
At this point, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said opposition members had alleged that MPs secured dealerships in exchange for money, but insisted the allegation was untrue.
He challenged those making the claims to submit evidence in writing or discuss the matter with the minister. Otherwise, he demanded that the "false statement" be expunged from the parliamentary record.
Despite further attempts by opposition lawmakers to speak, the deputy speaker did not allow them and moved on to the next question.