Decision on Siddique after PM’s return: Quader

A minister has said the government will take a decision on Post, Telecom and ICT Minister Abdul Latif Siddique after the prime minister returns to the country.

Speaking to journalists at an event in Savar on Tuesday, Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader said, “It is wrong for someone occupying high-level government position to say or do something that tarnishes the government’s image.”

Abdul Latif Siddique’s remark at a discussion in New York that he was against Hajj and Tablig Jamaat has drawn flak from many quarters.

Quader criticised his colleague and said, “The prime minister is aware of this. We will take a decision on this after she returns.”

He said Siddique’s remarks on prime minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy were wrong and Joy was a “future leader”.

At the New York event, Siddique had said: “Why do you talk about Joy all the time? Who is 'Joy Bhai'?

"Joy is not in the Bangladesh government. He does not take decisions."

Earlier Quader inaugurated a foot overbridge at Savar bus stand.

Local Awami League leaders attended the event in throngs.

After he opened the bridge, Quader tried to get on it but the stairs were so crowded by party men that he was pushed aside.

The minister was visibly annoyed. Then he noticed large banners hung from the bridge bearing large photographs of him and local leaders.

An irate Quader ordered them to remove the banners.

“Who put my photo on these banners? This is unacceptable. You can do what you want with your own pictures, but you cannot put my picture up anywhere,” he said.

The Chhinamul Hawker League had put up the banners to welcome Quader.