President Abdul Hamid says he lacks powers to fulfil demands

President Md Abdul Hamid has said before a gathering that he lacks the powers to fulfil demands.

Sajidul Huqbdnews24.com
Published : 24 Jan 2016, 05:30 PM
Updated : 24 Jan 2016, 05:30 PM

“It is not as if I can give whenever I want to,” he told a gathering in his own district, Kishoreganj.

He was taking part in the centenary celebrations of the Azimuddin High School when someone requested him to make the school a public institution.

Several other requests were also lined up by four local MPs, Minister of State Mujibul Huq Chunnu and the president’s son, Rezwan Ahmed Toufique. 

But the president responded with a disarming admission, saying he lacked the power to fulfil such demands.

“I was the deputy speaker, speaker, deputy leader of the opposition, speaker again, and I am now the president. But I have never been a minister. The minister is the owner of the ministry,” said the veteran leader.

“I am a master of making requests. I have to ask everyone to get this and that done for me.”

Abdul Hamid, who rose to become the president from the Haor region’s grass-roots politics, regretted being unable to stay in touch with ordinary people because of security reasons. 

“I come to Kishoreganj at long intervals. I feel good. But I can’t go near [the people]. A bamboo fence keeps us apart.”

The president deviated from his prepared speech to give vent to his pain.

“Kishoreganj is a city dear to my life. Much of my childhood and youth was spent here. Even now, I try to come here as often as I can because of the attraction I feel for the place,” Hamid said.

He also feels indebted to the city for the position he holds today.

He said he would continue to strive for the betterment of the region where he grew up.

The president said initiatives were on to establish a public university in Kishoreganj.

He urged teachers to transform students into skilled human resources.