The Bangladesh Journal - Bangladesh Caretaker Government Drops 4 advisors under the guise of "resignation"

By Golam Ahsan Jewel , Jan 8, 2008: The military backed caretaker government of Bangladesh dropped 4 key advisors on Tuesday under the guise of self-resignation. The advisors include law adviser Mainul Hosein, health adviser ASM Matiur Rahman, power and food adviser Tapan Chowdhury, and industry adviser Geeteara Safiya Choudhury.

Several advisors of the military backed government became controversial for their uncontrolled speaches to the media.

Speculations were rife over the last few weeks that a shakeup in the caretaker administration is highly likely. Departure of the four advisors leaves just one other controversial advisor intact, according to observers. The total number of advisors for the military backed caretaker government was 10.

The resignations came three days before the anniversary of the changeover by the military-backed government.

The chief adviser's press secretary Syed Fahim Munaim told journalists that the advisers cited "personal reasons" for their resignations. He said the swearing-in ceremony for new advisers would take place Wednesday.

It is not yet known who would be the the new advisers to fill the newly created vacancies. Officials said the Cabinet Division started preparations for the swearing-in ceremony for the new advisers.

Geeteara told journalists that she submitted her resignation letter to the Cabinet Division around 2pm Tuesday.

The resignation of Mainul was confirmed by his wife Saju Hosein.

Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, public relations officer for the power ministry, confirmed the resignation of Tapan Chowdhury.

At 5pm, health adviser ASM Matiur Rahman confirmed the news of his resignation. He said, "I worked for the nation and am still working. I will work in future as well. I will keep working when and where I get a chance to do so." "In the past, I was in a different place. At present, it is another place. And I will work in future from where I will be assigned to."

Asked to explain why it happened, Matiur said: "No power is permanent." Earlier at 4pm, Matiur said he did not resign, after he was asked by reporters to comment on media reports on his "resignation". Later he told journalists: "What you have heard is true."

All four of the recently dropped advisors became controversial in the public domain for their mismanagement of assigned portfolio and inappropriate talking to the media.

Mainul Husein made outrageous and inconsistent comments on sensitive political topics. Several of his comments ran contrary to what was happening in front of the public eyes. Several of his speaches were later retreated by none other than himself.

Mainul was also criticised hugely for his failure to handle the Rangs Building demolition efforts of the government and subsequent death of petty labourers in a partial building collapse.

After he was forced to resign, Mainul told journalists that some vested groups were trying to push the government into trouble, but did not elaborate further.

After his resignation, Mainul said: "I'm not feeling well. What is the point giving reactions after resignation? I'll speak to you later.For me work was a mission. I tried my best, but don't know how much I was successful. I wish the government all the best. I would be happy if the government's mission becomes successful. I would be very happy if newcomers perform well."

Tapan Chowdhury, son of Samson H Chowdhury, one of the richest men in Bangladesh, drew flak for his recent comment that the government has nothing to do with runaway food prices despite the prices have doubled since the emergency administration took charge in Jan 2007.

Geeteara in November last year termed the fertilser crisis that prompted nationwide protests a 'myth' created by the media and the farmers unwilling to queue up. There were media reports narrating Geeteara family's involvement in land grabbing, and other fradulent activies in recent past. Geeteara, a successful business women, who is also a relative of Indian Premier Manmohon Singh and Bangladeshi Chief Advisor Fakruddin Ahmed, was criticised in the media for her lack of understanding of common realities of Bangladesh and the civil administration at large.

@ The Bangladesh Journal