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Published : 11 Jul 2015, 10:55 PM
Stating that his father gave his life for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Syed Ashraful reaffirmed his loyalty for the party.
“I’m not in politics to make a fortune for myself,” the Awami League General Secretary said at an Iftar programme in Dhaka on Saturday in an oblique reference to his removal from the ministry on Thursday.
“My father was an honest politician and gave his life for the leader (Bangabandhu),” Ashraf said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina removed the ruling party’s virtual number two from the crucial ministry and made him a minister without portfolio.
Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, her daughter’s father-in-law, replaced him as the new LGRD minister.
The Cabinet secretary had told bdnews24.com that Khandker Mosharraf would continue to look after his old ministry, expatriates' welfare and overseas employment, “for the time being”.
Several Awami League leaders said Ashraf was axed to give him more time to devote to the party.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Friday hinted at more changes in the Cabinet.
Ashraf came to prominence during 2007 emergency rule when most party leaders, including Hasina, were incarcerated.
He was made the LGRD minister when the party returned to power in 2009.
He retained his portfolio five years later when the party formed government for a third time.
Awami League leaders say Ashraf’s loyalty to party chief Hasina was beyond question.
On Saturday, he attended an Iftar programme hosted by people of Hossainpur, who are living in Dhaka. The Upazila falls under his Kishoreganj-1 constituency.
Hossainpur freedom fighters’ commander, Abdur Rahim, said they were angry over the move.
“We’re with him (Ashraf) and will continue to support him,” he said.
After the assassination of Bangabandhu, Ashraf’s father Syed Nazrul Islam, acting president of the government in exile, along with Tajuddin Ahmed, M Mansur Ali and AHM Kamruzzaman were arrested and killed in jail on Nov 3, 1975.
Ashraf said: “My father did not betray Bangabandhu. Whether or not I am minister, or continue to be in politics, I will always stand by the people of Hossainpur.”
