Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin has accused The Daily Star of running a smear campaign against him, claiming that despite working in the interest of the state, he has become a victim of misinformation.

Speaking at a press conference at his ministry on Sunday, attended by senior officials, including the ministry secretary, Bashir defended his positions as both the adviser and chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, saying he saw no conflict of interest.

“You cannot manage everything within a legal framework. Morality is necessary too. I am the adviser to the jute ministry and also the largest jute trader in Bangladesh; so there could be a conflict of interest, but ask all the jute traders in Bangladesh if any conflict of interest has arisen over there,” he said.

He noted that 22 ministers and advisers, including the former prime minister, were previously at the helm of Biman.

He dismissed suggestions that holding both posts was inappropriate, saying, “You cannot manage your bedroom with laws. You cannot manage your family with laws.”

He further argued that no law barred him from serving as the Biman chairman and pointed to achievements under his tenure, including a drop in airfares by more than 50 percent.

Detailing Biman’s successes, Bashir claimed that Tk 60,000-70,000 crore used to flow out of the country due to high airfares, and that those who benefited from this are now angry.

“Because of their anger, I am being accused of shameless nepotism and called the ‘Lord of the Wings,’ even though my helicopters have no wings,” he said.

Asked whether it was appropriate to accuse a newspaper without sending a formal protest letter, he replied, “Okay, I got your point; we will send a formal protest.”

Rejecting allegations of nepotism, the adviser noted that 39 people had been barred from traveling abroad under government initiatives, including someone close to his family.

On February 6, The Daily Star published a report titled "Lord of the wings" on Sk Bashir Uddin.

The report highlighted that Bashir has become a figure representing a conflict of interest by simultaneously serving as the civil aviation adviser and chairman of Biman’s board while pursuing a commercial helicopter licence.