National Citizen Party spokesperson and former adviser to the immediate-past interim government Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan on Tuesday said that there was a kitchen cabinet that used to influence the key policy decisions of the interim government.
He, however, denied that he was a member of the kitchen cabinet, in reply to a query of a journalist at a press conference at the NCP office at Bangla Motor in the capital.
He also alleged that the NCP was not consulted about the trade agreement signed with the United States shortly before the February 12 Jatiya Sangsad elections.
‘We believe that the BNP was behind this agreement three days before the parliamentary elections, but they used their current foreign minister Khalilur Rahman to shift the responsibility onto the interim government,’ Asif said.
The NCP leader accused the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party of widespread irregularities in leasing out Eid-ul-Azha cattle markets and alleged that BNP-backed groups were illegally controlling market operations across the country.
He alleged that cattle markets were not set up at designated locations and alleged that BNP-backed leaseholders were operating markets on roads and collecting unauthorised tolls.
‘The entire economic system of sacrificial cattle markets is under the control of the BNP and its local leaders and activists,’ Asif said, adding that the situation was undermining the sanctity of Eid.
Citing reports on road accidents during the Eid holiday, he criticised the government over Eid journey management, alleging that the road and transport ministry and relevant authorities failed to ensure safe and smooth journey of the Eid travellers.
The press conference was convened to protest a recent reported attack on NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari in Jhenaidah.
NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari also addressed the press conference. Joint member secretaries Alauddin Mohammad and SM Saif Mostafiz, among others, were present at the press conference.
