Tofail, Menon in Cabinet to ‘help polls’

The two leading lights of the 1960s student movement took oath on Monday at the Bangabhaban as ministers of the all-party government set up to conduct the parliament polls.

Awami League Advisory Council member Tofail Ahmed was offered a ministerial portfolio in 2012 but he rejected it.

He was sidelined as a 'reformist' within the party .

Sheikh Hasina did not induct him in her regular cabinet when the ruling Awami League government took over in 2009.

Awami League’s ally Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon did not join the cabinet in 2012 in keeping with his party's decision.

Tofail and Menon took charge as ministers at a time when the opposition BNP is campaigning for a non-party government saying otherwise it would boycott the national election.

On accepting the offer a year after rejecting it, Tofail said, “The situations are different. (Had I taken over as minister a year back) I would have been busy with the ministry only.”

The main job of the ‘all-party’ government is to create an environment for the election and cooperate with the Election Commission, said the veteran Awami League leader.

“I have joined the Cabinet this time to accomplish that task.” Tofail thinks though the BNP refused to join the all-party government, the offer is still open. “Still there is time. The Prime Minister has already made the offer. If the Opposition joins, it will help maintain the country’s stability.” Menon said he had joined the Cabinet to help create right atmosphere for the election. He said they would again invite the BNP to join the government. Replying to a query from the reporters on whether the government would be successful, he said “Why shouldn’t we succeed?”