President Hamid calls for ending domination of businessmen in Bangladesh’s politics

President Md Abdul Hamid, who rose to nation’s top office from the ground up, has called for ending the domination of businessmen in Bangladesh’s politics.

“It is unfortunate that businessmen are controlling the country’s politics today. This is the most disgraceful development. We must get rid of this trend,” he said.
 
The president shared his feelings while addressing a public rally after inaugurating a bridge named after him at Ashtagram Upazila in Kishoreganj on Monday.
 
A Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) report recently pointed out that representation of the business community in Parliament has gradually increased to 57 percent.
 
In the country’s first Parliament, of which Hamid was a member, the community’s representation was 17.5 percent.
 
Lawyers had dominated the House at that time. But the legal fraternity’s representation came down to a mere 14 percent in the ninth Parliament.
 
Hamid, before becoming the president in 2013, had represented Kishoreganj’s Itna-Mithamoin-Ashtagram constituency in Parliament seven times.

He also served as the Speaker before becoming president.

He said the country would make further progress if all politicians honestly work for the welfare of the people.

The president stressed on the importance of honesty in politics and said, “There are several other ways of earning money. Those who want to make money should not be in politics.”

Hamid recalled his journey which started from Kisoreganj’s Haor area. “I contested from this constituency every time and was elected MP. I’ve been an honest politician.

“That’s why ruling party or opposition party no one can say anything against me. Because I’m not a dishonest person.”

He said if anyone wishes to become an MP only to make money through corruption, that would lead to no development of the constituency.

After he took over as president, Hamid’s son Rejwan Ahmed Toufiq contested from the Kishoreganj-4 constituency with Awami League ticket.

He was elected in the by-polls held on July 3, 2013.

Hamid said, “My son will qualify for your (locals) support only if he works with honesty. If not, he won’t even get my support.”