State Minister Shahe Alam says it is a ‘miracle’ that two new unions bear his sons’ names

“Simanta” and “Diganta” union councils have been announced in the newly formed Mokamtala Upazila of Bogura

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam has called it a “mere coincidence” that two newly created union councils in Bogura bear the names of his two sons.

Addressing parliament on Monday, he said the names -- “Simanta” and “Diganta” -- for the unions under the newly formed Mokamtala Upazila were chosen by the local administration following “scrutiny and public hearings”.

The government announced the new unions on Jun 11.

The state minister’s two sons are named Mir Simanta and Mir Diganta.

Shahe Alam's remarks followed Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Md Shafiqul Islam drawing attention to the matter.

“The local administration, Upazila administrator and deputy commissioner, after scrutinising and holding public hearings, have named a new union Simanta Union because it is on the border of the Gabtoli and Sonatala Upazilas,” he said.

The other was named Diganta because of its location on the edge of Bogura, close to Gaibandha and far from the district centre, he added.

The BNP lawmaker from Bogura-2 also argued that the names were far from unique, noting that other places and establishments across the country share the names Simanta and Diganta.