Bdnews24.com . Dhaka
The Anti-Corruption Commission chief has dismissed as ‘not right’ the prime minister’s contention that the anti-graft drive was used to shackle politicians.
‘The Anti-Corruption Commission has conducted its drive on specific information and evidence. The remark that the commission was used to shackle politicians is not right,’ chairman Hasan Moshhud Chowdhury said on Thursday.
He negated prime minister Hasina’s remarks at a regular briefing of the commission at its headquarters in Segun Bagicha in the city.
Hasina on Wednesday told parliament that the ACC should be ‘reconstituted’ to ensure its accountability.
During her weekly question-answer session, the head of government said the anti-graft drive during the caretaker government’s two-year tenure became an ‘anti- politician drive’, and the ACC was itself tainted by allegations of corruption.
The prime minister, who herself was detained in jail for 11 months until 2008 on graft charges brought by the ACC, said the commission itself was said to be involved in corrupt practices during the caretaker regime.
‘During the caretaker government’s tenure we heard many stories. Some people were arrested on corruption charges, but later released in exchange for money,’ said Hasina.
She said people had hailed the ACC’s anti-graft drive, ‘but it came under suspicion when it was aimed at elimination of politicians’.
‘Their anti-corruption drive was called into question when they became involved in forming a new political party, executing the so-called minus two, minus one formulas,’ Hasina said.
But, Hasina also had some positive words for the caretaker government’s anti-graft drive.
‘During the caretaker government, people began to realise that none could escape trial for corrupt practices. They could be tried any time.’
The prime minister said she would examine the ACC’s recommendations on elimination of corruption and subscribe to those that were ‘acceptable’.
The ACC boss said he had not been considering to resign his position.
‘I don’t see anything to decide suddenly being hot tempered. I hope the matter will be clear in the coming days,’ he said.
Courtesy: newagebd.com
