Newly-appointed Chief Whip of 10th parliament ASM Feroz has publicly asked for money instead of crests from those who wanted to felicitate him during a reception programme at his constituency Bauphal in Patuakhali.
Feroz visited the constituency on Friday, from where he won uncontested, and attended a public programme when he had to receive dozens of crests.
At that time, he said: “Why so many crests? I will be at my political office from 9am to 3pm tomorrow [Saturday]. If anyone wants to give something to the party fund, [please] come then.
“Not more crests; I want cash. Cash is what I want,” Feroz announced through a loudspeaker. In his brief speech, he used the word “cash” thrice.
Local Awami League and its associate bodies arranged the event on a playground in Bauphal sadar upazila.
Feroz was also elected as MP from the constituency in the previous parliament and made whip. His speech, broadcasted through the local cable networks, stunned his supporters.
In his speech, Feroz said: “Do not you understand? A lot of money is required to contest an election, so felicitate me with cash. It will be very useful for me. What is the use of this [crest]?”
When contacted yesterday evening, Feroz told the Dhaka Tribune over phone that it had been a joke with the party colleagues and others.
“People like me never attend any underhand dealing. Why will I ask my people to do so? I was joking then and it was a foolish language. But the media took it [seriously],” Feroz said.
“I know people who are giving me crests and taking pictures will use those to take advantage in their areas. That is why I asked for money from them.”
The chief whip also blamed two newspapers for spreading propaganda and that they ran reports intentionally.
Sources said Feroz’s men had publicly threatened a reporter, harassing him physically and filing cases against him after the publishing of the report on the issue.
However, Feroz claimed that there was no question of harassing any journalist. “But the journalists are frequently harassing me through their reports,” he said.
