Till death, I would like to remain in close touch of people, work for country: Saifur

Sylhet, June 12 (BDNEWS) – Finance and Planning Minister and elderly BNP leader M Saifur Rahman did not declare any date for his resignation from the party, but clearly indicated that he would be involved in politics. "Love of the people is the only reward for me over last 30 years in politics. Till death, I would like to remain in close touch of the people and work for the betterment of the country," he said Saifur was addressing a huge public reception at Rikabibazar crossing here organised by 'Amra Sylhetbashi'. Defying inclement weather, huge people thronged the area to hear what the Finance Minister would say. Saifur last month made a declaration to resign from the ministry protesting 'indecent remarks' by BNP lawmakers Elias Ali, BNP leader Shafi Chowdhury and Dr Syed Makbul Hossain. He sought Prime Minister's intervention in this regard and agreed to stay till placing of the budget. The reception got huge public attention as rumour spread that Saifur might declare a date for his resignation. Saifur himself became emotional seeing presence of people for his reception. But he refrained from making any deadline of his resignation from the party or the ministry. In his 34-minute speech, he narrated how he had got involved with the politics of BNP, activities over last 30 years and his various contributions for Sylhet as well as for the national development. Amra Sylhetbashi convenor Prof Dr Enayet Ullah chaired the reception while Jamaat-e-Islami leader Farid Uddin Chowdhury MP, Whip Fazlul Huq Aspia, Privatisation Commission chairman Inam Ahmed Chowdhury, Abu Lais Mobin Chowdhury MP, Dildar Hossain Selim MP and Naser Rahman MP also spoke at the reception. None of the three lawmakers, who made indecent remarks, attended the reception. BDNEWS/2115 hrs