Local government ministry wants Chittagong mayor AJM Nasir to explain his corruption claim

The Chittagong City Corporation was allotted less funds because its mayor refused to bribe bureaucrats, that was the claim.

But the LGRD Ministry on Thursday said mayor AJM Nasir Uddin will have to explain his bombshell remark.

The ministry Secretary Abdul Malek told reporters at the Secretariat, “He must explain, it’s clear.” 

Mayor Nasir was speaking at a city dialogue programme at the port city when he said: “This time we have received only Tk 800 million. But that amount would have been Tk 3 to Tk 3.5 billion had I bribed the officials according to their demand.”

The audience was surprised with the mayor's fusillade on Wednesday. 

“They told me – you’ll get the allocation you want for the city corporation, but you must give us five percent,” Nasir said.

He also said a joint secretary asked for a luxury SUV to clear a city project.

Secretary Abdul Malek in his response said: “He has said whatever he has. We will ask for explanations and evidence.

“He will provide proof and tell us which official in the ministry asked for the vehicle. Whoever it is, he will have to disclose it.”

“He is a politician and a mayor ... so he should prove his own remarks. We want explanations from him today.”