Politicians should also retire at some point in life like others do: Muhith

After speaking about retirement for years, AMA Muhith has come up with an explanation of collecting and submitting the Awami League’s nomination form for Sylhet-1 seat.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday, the 85-year-old finance minister also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had approved of his actions.

“I have submitted the nomination paper to the party as a dummy candidate, because I will not contest," the 85-year old finance minister said.

Elaborating his view on the age issue, he said, “Nobody wants to resign. That’s the problem in our country. I want to begin the practice of retirement. Everyone needs to retire at some point of life. Politicians should also retire.”

Asked whether he will be the part of the Awami League government if it retains power, Muhith said, “It is necessary for me to retire. Our politicians should realise the need for retirement.”

“But people senior to me are still doing politics and wish to continue,” he said, referring to Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad and Bikalpadhara Bangladesh President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, who are heading their parties in the upcoming elections.

“They want to take the last chance. But I don’t have any such wish. I think 85 years is a sufficient time for retirement,” Muhith said.

Muhith has been representing the north-eastern constituency, which comprises parts of Sylhet Sadar Upazila and the city corporation, for a decade. He has also served as the finance minister for two consecutive terms of the Awami League government.

Besides Muhith, his younger brother AK Abul Momen, Bangladesh's former permanent representative to the United Nations, has bought the party’s nomination form for the same seat.

The minister had introduced his younger brother as the party’s candidate at some events.

On Tuesday, he said he thought Momen was getting the ruling party’s ticket.

The others vying for the party’s nomination for the constituency are its Organising Secretary Misbah Uddin Siraj and former mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran.