Within just four months of taking office, the government has faced questions over its image following controversial activities involving some ministers and state ministers. Recent incidents surrounding State Minister for LGRD Mir Shahe Alam have sparked widespread discussion in political circles as well as among the public. Party sources said the developments have displeased not only senior leaders but also Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
At a cabinet meeting on Thursday, the prime minister delivered a stern message to ministers and state ministers, stressing that public expectations from the government were high. He said responsible behaviour, accountability and prioritising public interest must remain central to their duties. The government would not tolerate any controversial or negative activities, he warned.
Multiple government sources said recent controversies involving Mir Shahe Alam had caused embarrassment for the prime minister. In particular, allegations that the names of two newly formed unions in Bogura were linked to the names of his two sons sparked criticism on social media and among political circles. There were also allegations that an educational institution had been named after him.
Questions were also raised over the arrest of an editor of a national daily, creating debate both inside and outside the government. Party leaders and activists have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the incidents. Criticism has spread from tea stalls to administrative circles and political platforms.
At the cabinet meeting, Tarique discussed the government’s ongoing development programmes, the performance of different ministries, administrative coordination and progress of public service initiatives. Referring to his upcoming week-long visits to Malaysia and China, he instructed ministers that government activities must continue without disruption during his absence.
The prime minister is scheduled to leave for Malaysia today and will travel to China after completing his engagements there. During the visits, he directed all ministries to maintain regular operations. He also instructed them to prioritise key decisions, implementation of development projects, maintaining law and order and ensuring citizen services.
Tarique further said the government’s 180-day action plan, prepared after assuming office, must be implemented within the stipulated timeframe. He warned that the government would take a different approach towards ministers or state ministers who fail to perform their responsibilities.
While taking part in the general discussion on the national budget in parliament, the prime minister advised ministers to use responsible and measured language. He also instructed them to accelerate economic activities, maintain an investment-friendly environment, and improve progress in infrastructure, education and health sectors.
A cabinet member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the prime minister provided several important directives to maintain government effectiveness and public confidence. Ministers were instructed to ensure that ministries and the administration continue functioning normally during his foreign trip. He also made it clear that negligence in carrying out responsibilities would not be tolerated.
Another senior party leader said some ministers and state ministers who received responsibilities after becoming first-time lawmakers appeared to have lost a sense of balance in exercising power. In many cases, they were allegedly failing to give due importance to senior party leaders, creating negative consequences for the government.
Meanwhile, following widespread criticism, authorities have decided to change the names of the newly created “Shimanto” and “Digonto” unions in Bogura. Bogura Deputy Commissioner Toufiqur Rahman said the process of renaming the two unions had started following the prime minister’s directive.
He said the final names would be selected based on public opinion gathered through a public hearing. However, speaking in parliament, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam claimed that the similarity between the union names and his sons’ names was merely a coincidence.
Sources said the initiative to rename the unions was taken following the prime minister’s intervention to avoid further controversy and criticism over the matter.
A BNP grassroots leader in Bogura said that despite the move to change the union names, discussions and criticism over the state minister’s role continue in different parts of the district after the controversy affected the government’s image.
