Five advisers to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on Tuesday.
Public Administration Affairs Adviser HT Imam, Energy Adviser Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Economic Affairs Adviser Moshiur Rahman, Education Adviser Dr Alauddin Ahmed and Health Adviser Dr Syed Modasser Ali submitted their resignation letters on Tuesday afternoon.
The prime minister’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad confirmed the matter to the Dhaka Tribune.
He said the PM has sent the resignation letters to the cabinet division for further proceedings. The advisers took office in 2009.
According to sources from the Public Administration Ministry, the role of HT Imam was questioned as he reportedly used to run the ministry and interfere with administrative decisions.
The same allegation also arose against Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury. As the energy ministry did not have any full minister, Towfiq used to run the activities of the ministry. During his tenure, he has given the nod to several rental power plant projects which turned controversial later on.
Dr Syed Modasser Ali had reportedly tried to obstruct a Bangladesh Bank team from auditing Sonali Bank’s Ruposhi Bangla Hotel branch over the Hall-Mark scam.
Later, the Anti-Corruption Commission dropped his name from the charge sheet as the investigation officers were unable to prove his involvement. However, he had been questioned before and after the filing of the FIR.
Moshiur Rahman was allegedly involved with the much-talked-about Padma Bridge Scam.
The World Bank then said it would withdraw the loan cancellation if the government met three of their conditions, including removing Mashiur.