PM Tarique warns MPs against extortion, land grabbing

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has warned BNP lawmakers that no one will be spared for engaging in extortion, land grabbing or other misconduct in the party’s name, stressing that both party leaders and ministers and MPs must be held accountable for wrongdoing.

He also instructed lawmakers to maintain law and order, select popular and competent candidates for the upcoming local government elections, and play an active role in ensuring communal harmony during Durga Puja.

Tarique Rahman gave the directives at a meeting of the BNP parliamentary party at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Sunday night. The meeting reviewed the government’s progress over the past eight months and discussed obstacles to development activities, problems in lawmakers’ constituencies, the law and order situation and the overall political situation.

The meeting, which lasted around three hours, was attended by cabinet members and BNP lawmakers. LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Law Minister Asaduzzaman and several other lawmakers spoke at the meeting.

According to several lawmakers who attended the meeting, the prime minister sought updates on the government’s achievements over the past eight months, progress in development projects and obstacles to their implementation. He also listened to lawmakers’ accounts of local problems, public expectations and difficulties in delivering government services.

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The prime minister stressed the need for elected representatives to remain accountable to the people and maintain close contact with their constituents to address their problems.

He also made it clear that the government would take a hard line against those involved in irregularities and misconduct using the party’s name.

He warned party leaders and lawmakers against extortion, land grabbing and abuse of power, saying such activities must not bring the party or the government into disrepute.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni told reporters after the meeting that Tarique Rahman had taken a firm position on the issue.

“Anyone committing wrongdoing using the BNP’s name will not be spared. Extortionists and land grabbers will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.

BNP Whip Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu said the meeting discussed the law and order situation, the upcoming local government elections and other issues.

He said the prime minister had stressed the need to maintain law and order and nominate popular and competent candidates for the local government elections to sustain the party’s success in the national election.

Tarique Rahman also called for a fair election, Dulu said, adding that no one should be given an opportunity to create controversy by alleging electoral manipulation.