Resignation report a rumour: Hanif

Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif said the news report about him being asked to resign as the Prime Minister’s special assistant is “nothing but a mere rumour”.

A report published in a national daily on Saturday claimed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a view-exchange program with grass root leaders advised her special assistant to resign and visit an electoral area to find out the public opinion there.

The report mentions that the Awami League President was angry with Hanif over selection of a candidate for Kushtia-2 constituency (Mirpur-Bheramara).

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Hanif when contacted told bdnews24.com, “A rumour was published on Dainik Samakal. The Prime Minister had suggested it was best to resign to give more time to organisational activities. That was all she said.”

The Awami League leader said he viewed the report as a rumour.

Meanwhile Samakal’s report has given rise to curiosity and mixed feelings in Kushtia. The copies of the daily sold within a few hours of hitting the stand in Kushtia. People even accessed the online version of the report.

“The leader (Sheikh Hasina) has taken the right decision, even though it is delayed,” said Kushtia Awami League Senior Vice-president and Municipality Mayor Anwar Ali.

Kushtia-1 MP Afaz Uddin Ahmed denied a comment on the matter but said, “If the leader of the party takes a decision it means she has considered all aspects.”

Bangladesh Awami League central committee member and Khoksha Upazila Chairman Sadar Uddin said, “Awami League is its own enemy. Some over excited Awami Leaguers are adding flare to the news for the sake of interesting gossips. A lot of things can come up during an organisational discussion. There is no reason to take it all so seriously.”