Former Narayanganj district BNP president Muhammad Giasuddin has reported a rise in income over recent years, but the total value of his assets has slightly declined while his liabilities have increased, according to affidavits submitted to the Election Commission.
Giasuddin, a veteran politician, has filed nomination papers for two constituencies, Narayanganj-4 and Narayanganj-3, in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. He had previously contested the 11th parliamentary election in 2018.
Assets and income
Giasuddin’s total declared assets for the current fiscal year amount to Tk 17.04 crore, including assets held by his wife and children, which total Tk 16.01 crore. Seven years ago, he had declared Tk 17.08 crore in his own name and Tk 8.24 crore in his wives’ names.
The businessman earns an annual income of Tk 35.16 lakh, up from Tk 20.05 lakh previously. His two wives had a combined income of Tk 6.80 lakh at the time, though the latest affidavit shows no income for his surviving wife following the death of his other spouse.
Giasuddin’s liabilities have also risen, with the current affidavit showing Tk 6.79 crore in his name and Tk 2.72 crore under his wife and children. No bank loans are listed. In 2018, his liabilities were Tk 3.38 crore, with none declared under his family members’ names.
Properties and investments
Giasuddin’s movable assets include Tk 51.23 lakh in cash, Tk 7.92 lakh in five bank accounts, and Tk 7.82 lakh in fixed deposits. He owns a firearm valued at Tk 1.15 lakh, 20 bhori gold jewelry worth Tk 1.48 lakh, furniture and electrical goods worth Tk 2.10 lakh, and shares worth Tk 5.33 crore.
His wife, Reshma Begum, has substantial assets despite no declared income, including Tk 6.09 lakh in cash, Tk 1.50 crore in company shares, 24 bhori gold jewelry worth Tk 2.25 lakh at the time of acquisition, and furniture and electronics valued at Tk 60,000.
In terms of immovable assets, Giasuddin owns 430.50 decimals of non-agricultural land valued at Tk 61.29 lakh. His wife owns 11.25 decimals valued at Tk 7.68 lakh. Additionally, 14.13 decimals are under possession agreements, valued at Tk 50.96 lakh.
He also owns a commercial building on Chittagong Road worth Tk 8.92 crore, a multi-storey building in Hirajheel worth Tk 1.02 crore, and a five-storey building on ancestral land in Siddhirganj valued at Tk 7 crore. He has a 103-square-foot shop at Samabay New Market in Chashara, Narayanganj.
Political background and election plans
Once active in Krishak League politics, Giasuddin later joined BNP and was elected MP from Narayanganj-4 in 2001 as a BNP candidate. He previously submitted nomination papers for the same seat in 2018 but stepped aside in line with party decisions. This year, he has submitted papers for both Narayanganj-4 and Narayanganj-3, which covers Siddhirganj and Sonargaon.
Although BNP has announced Azharul Islam Mannan as its candidate for Narayanganj-3, Giasuddin filed independently for both constituencies on 29 December. The party expelled him on 31 December for going against the party’s decision.
Legal cases
Giasuddin has faced 69 cases in the past, mostly under anti-terrorism, explosive, and special powers laws. None of these cases are currently active; he has been acquitted in some, while others were suspended or dismissed.
