Muhith responds to Badruddoza's remarks, says retirement is a better option for 'us'

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, hinting at Badruddoza Chowdhury's long career, has said that people sometimes reach a juncture of life when it's wise for them to go on retirement.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 17 Feb 2018, 06:48 PM
Updated : 17 Feb 2018, 06:58 PM

He was responding on Saturday to the former president who, on Friday, launched a scathing attack on the finance minister and Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid for their alleged failure in controlling scams and anomalies in their ministries.

"I know for sure I am going on retirement; I am going to retire in December this year," Muhith said at a programme in the capital.

Muhith, who is younger by over a year than Bikalpadhara Bangladesh chief Badruddoza, said, "I wanted to give him a piece of advice. He probably has no idea about retirement. I wanted to tell him that there is a certain time in life we all should go on retirement."

Earlier on Friday, taking aim at Muhith, the Bikalpadhara chief said, "He thinks the bankers are responsible for the banks like the thieves are 'responsible' for stealing things. You are the finance minister, you will one day have to stand in the dock...for destroying the country's economy...over the plundering of millions of taka (from the banks)."

"He was a bright student, but uses language like 'stupid', 'rubbish'. For some reasons, he has failed to run the administration.

“Not a single bank is functioning properly; he has failed to monitor properly or punish anyone for the misdeeds. He could not take any step against the anomalies," Badruddoza said.

He added, “If the prime minister forgives him even after these, then it’s fine. Forgiveness is a great virtue. But please check whether our economy is getting destroyed.”

About education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, the ex-president said, "Since he is a good person, I don't want his resignation. There are some dud ministries such as children affairs and religion affairs ...send him there,"

Born on Nov 1, 1932, Chowdhury served ex-military ruler Ziaur Rahman as his party BNP's secretary general, and later when his widow Khaleda Zia came to power in 2001, he became the president. But his stint in the Bangabhaban was short-lived as he was forced to resign after seven months in the presidency.

He then founded the Bikalpadhara Bangladesh party in 2004 and made his son Mahi B Chowdhury the secretary general of the party.

On the other hand, Finance Minister Muhith who was born on Jan 25, 1934, joined the Pakistan Civil Service in 1956. He has a career span of 60 years when he served two government - the HM Ershad regime in 1982-83 and the current Awami League government since 2009.