Suranjit slates ‘scared’ ministers over US ambassador’s comments, faces ire

Awami League MP Suranjit Sengupta has been attacked by his colleagues in Parliament for suggesting that the ministers have been ‘frightened’ by comments of the US envoy.

Parliament Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 21 July 2016, 05:28 PM
Updated : 23 July 2016, 04:25 AM

The ruling MPs, however, agreed with him that Ambassador Marcia Bernicat’s comments were ‘beyond diplomatic etiquette’.

Bernicat on Wednesday said she “sadly” saw reports that some people were saying the US offers to provide counter-terrorism assistance were either its effort to invade Bangladesh, or take over Bangladesh, or control Bangladesh in some way, or even to drag Bangladesh onto a battlefield.

“We have no such desire to occupy this country in any way,” she had said.

Suranjit, known as an outspoken politician, drew Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah’s attention to the US ambassador’s comments on Thursday.

“The US ambassador said they won’t occupy Bangladesh. She will try to help,” he said.

“It seems from this comment that they can occupy (Bangladesh) and keep doing so if they wish. The Americans are posing such threats!

“Have the ministers taken shelter in their own places for security following this threat?” the senior parliamentarian asked.

He continued, “Such a threat from a diplomat is not courteous. We hope our foreign minister (AH Mahmood Ali) or his ministry will strongly protest against the comments.”

Suranjit then resumed the criticism of ministers and termed Workers' Party chief and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon an ‘adulterated minister’.

“You Sir (deputy speaker), please insist in the next sessions that at least one or two high-profile ministers are seated in the front row to run Parliament,” he said.

“Mr Menon is looking at me. He is an adulterated minister. What will you do if such adulterated ministers sit in the South? It looks very odd,” he added.

Besides Menon, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak were present during Sengupta’s speech.

No minister other than Menon sits in the front row. Menon, when he takes the front row, sits near the Opposition Bench.

Former state minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak said the ministers were not present on Thursday evening as they work in their constituencies on Fridays and Saturdays.

“Honourable MP Suranjit Sengupta has uttered a word – ‘it seems the ministers have fled’. I demand this be expunged,” Nanak said.

He also claimed the media ‘wrongly’ quoted the US ambassador.

Deputy Speaker Miah said he would check Suranjit’s speech and expunge ‘unparliamentarian’ words if there is any.

Chief Whip ASM Feroz read out a newspaper report on Bernicat and said it incorrectly quoted her.

The deputy speaker then gave the floor to MP AKM Shamim Osman as he started speaking without the microphone.

“Our very senior leader Suranjit Sengupta, who is like my father, has said the ministers are scared.The ministers, whom our prime minister has chosen, are important leaders. They are not scared at all. They were not scared even during the Aug 21 grenade attack,” he said.

“These leaders have been insulted here. Such comments are unacceptable. I smell conspiracy in such comments,” he added.

Former minister Hasan Mahmud said, “We should keep in mind what message we are sending out when we speak. Ministers are not always present here. It’s usual.”

He, too, criticised the US ambassador.

Awami League MP Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim said, “An assistant secretary will issue a threat! The foreign minister will surely summon and give her a befitting reply.”

He slated the US for the role it had played during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.

“What was your role at the time? You supported Yahia (Khan). Have you desired power for this?” he asked.

“Look at what happened in your country (US). Fifty persons have been killed in a night club. Shall we occupy your country now?

“This is not Iraq, Libya or Afghanistan. This is Bangladesh,” he added.

He also said Bernicat’s comments were ‘audacious’ and urged the foreign ministry to take firm steps.