AL nominates an extraordinary person for presidency: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said the Awami League, under the leadership of party President and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina, has nominated an extraordinary personality for the post of the President.

“Valiant Freedom Fighter Mohammad Shahabuddin did politics in the field and took risks. He protested the brutal killing of Bangabandhu. He is a valiant freedom fighter and also has politeness and political wisdom,” he said.

The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters at the meeting room of his ministry at the secretariat in the capital.

Criticising a comment of BNP leaders, the minister said the BNP has no respect for the democratic process and for this the party has no interest in presidential polls.

Earlier, Hasan exchanged views with the leaders of Bangladesh Sangbadpothro Parishad (BSP) at the meeting room after submitting the nomination paper of Mohammad Shahabuddin at the Election Commission as he seconded the proposal while party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader signed the nomination paper as the proposer.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker, BSP President Md Mozaffar Hossain Paltu and its general secretary MG Kibria Chowdhury, among others, addressed the view exchange meeting.

Hasan said Mohammad Shahabuddin took part in the Liberation War actively and he was one of the persons who hoisted the flag of independence at Town Hal Ground in Pabna on March 23 in 1971. He was elected general secretary of Chhatra League of Edward College unit in Pabna in 1967-68 tenure, vice president of Chhatra League Pabna district unit in 1969-70, president of the unit in 1970-73 and president of Jubo League of the district in 1974-75, the minister added.

He said Mohammad Shahabuddin was arrested on August 20 in 1975 as he protested the killing of Bangabandhu and he was in jail for more than three years. Later, he was elected publicity secretary of Awami League Pabna district unit in 1980, said Hasan.

A 1971 valiant freedom fighter, the minister said, Mohammad Shahabuddin initially began his career as a lawyer. He started career in the judicial service in 1982 as an assistant judge and subsequently became a district and sessions judge, he said, adding after his retirement, he (Shahabuddin) was appointed as a commissioner of independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Hasan said he played a pivotal role to prove the allegation of corruption in Padma Bridge as false.

Replying to another query, the ruling party leader said the BNP has no interest in the country too. Their main interest is Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman issues, he added.

He said the BNP is dreaming of bringing back Tarique. “We also want him to come back and face the trial. Their other interest is Begum Zia’s health issue. They have no interest in the country and its people,” he added.

In fact, the minister said, the BNP has no respect for democratic process. For this, they are telling that they have no interest in the presidential polls, he added.

Replying to another query over BNP’s street march programme, Hasan said BNP has taken the programme at union level with the aim of spreading violence and chaos. But AL leaders and activists remained alert and held peace rallies and, for this, they (BNP) couldn’t create such anarchies whatever they wanted, he said.

He said the people of the country would not allow the BNP to create any situation like in 2013, 2014 and 2014.

Earlier, at the meeting, Hasan said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government are media friendly. A vast revolution has taken place in the mass media in the last 14 years, he added.

He said the number of newspapers is about 1,200 while 35 TV channels are on air. There are also a number of online news portals, FM radios and community radios on air in the country, he added.

The BSP leaders presented 15 demands to the minister, including payment of due bills of supplementary.

Hasan assured them of considering the demands.

BSP vice presidents Professor Rafique Ullah Sikder, Md Atiqur Rahman Chowdhury, joint general secretaries Sheikh Manjur Bari Manju, Chowdhury Ataur Rahman, ABM Selim Ahmed, Kazi Anowar Amal, Farid Ahmed Bangalee, treasurer Mafizur Rahman Khan Babu, organising secretary Jashim Uddin, office secretary Morshed Majumder, members MA Jalil, Amzad Hossain, Mohammad Arefin, Advocate Monowar Hossain, Rumazzal Hossain Rubel, Md Tajul Islam, MAS Emon, Nurun Nahar Rita and Ashok Dhar, among others, were present.