A ruling party MP pulled back in parliament yesterday after facing fire from the prime minister for proposing to turn a health institute into a medical college and name it after her.
While tabling a proposal, Awami League’s Habibur Rahman Mollah said the mother and child institute in Matuail that fell under his constituency, should be upgraded into a full-fledged medical college because the existing facility could not serve properly.
“I also demand naming the proposed medical college after jononetri [people’s leader] Sheikh Hasina,” Habibur said in the presence of Sheikh Hasina, who turned up at the House after the Meghreb prayer recess.
Independent MP Hazi Mohammad Selim, also a former Awami League lawmaker, Nobi Newaz and Nazrul Islam Babu supported Habibur’s proposal.
The leader of the house then called Habibur and said: “Why should this be made a medical college and why after me? Why have you brought a proposal like this? Go and withdraw the proposal,” she said, infuriated.
A nervous-looking Habibur Rahman then went back to his seat.
Before State minister for Health Zahid Maleque could say anything about the proposal in accordance to rules, Sheikh Hasina instructed Whip Shahiduzzaman Sarker to convey to the House that she wanted the proposal withdrawn.
“The institute should not be turned into a medical college. I urge the honourable member to withdraw his proposal,” said Zahid Maleque who responded to the demand in absence of Health Minister Mohammad Nasim.
According to rules, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah, who was chairing the sitting, gave floor to Habibur Rahman Mollah again to say whether he would withdraw the proposal.
“I demanded turning the institute into a medical college; but it should not be done. It should be strengthened as an institute. I withdraw my proposal,” said Habibur.
“I also proposed naming the medical college after Sheikh Hasina. I withdraw this proposal as well,” he said, amid mild desk thumping by some front bench MPs.
Hasina then called whips Shahiduzzaman Sarker and Atiur Rahman Atik to her desk and inquired why many MPs had not been present.
At least 10 MPs skipped the house yesterday. “Keep me informed why they are absent,” Hasina instructed.
At the beginning of the day’s sitting at 5:26pm – 26 minutes behind scheduled – only 70 MPs were present. After Meghreb prayer recess, 90 MPs turned up.
