Two video clips of Patuakhali-2 lawmaker Shafiqul Islam Masud that went viral on Monday show the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader criticising ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and claiming that he has the influence to have law enforcement officials transferred if he wishes.

In one of the clips, Masud is heard claiming that administrative decisions can be influenced quickly under his authority.

‘Within two hours, I removed an officer-in-charge of a police station from his post. Within two hours, I had an army major “changed” from here,’ he said.

In another clip, Masud says, ‘The people of Bauphal do not need to be told who Shafiqul Islam Masud is. Go and ask Sheikh Hasina who Shafiqul Islam Masud is.’

Masud’s remarks, made during an Eid reunion programme on Saturday in front of Surjomoni Union Parishad under Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali, triggered widespread discussion and criticism after the clips went viral on social media.

Masud, who also serves as secretary of Jamaat’s Dhaka South City unit, attended the event as the chief guest. The programme was chaired by Surjomoni Union unit Jamaat amir Mujibur Rahman Bachchu.

The video clips also show Masud saying, ‘Many people say I became an MP only through votes. I say that I became an MP not only through votes; I became an MP through power as well.’

He said that if development alone were enough to keep a government in power, Sheikh Hasina would have remained in office.

‘But why couldn’t she stay? Roads were built, ports were built, bridges were built, but people were not happy. People had no rights,’ Masud said.

At one point, referring to his political past, he said, ‘Go and ask around Rajshahi University. Ask the biggest terrorist there who Shafiqul Islam Masud is.’