MP-ministers got Aladdin's lamp : Rizvi

Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi

On Wednesday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed scepticism regarding the accuracy of the asset declarations made by many ruling party candidates in affidavits submitted to the Election Commission, likening the situation to the fantastical narrative of Aladdin's lamp. 

Rizvi asserted that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has remained conspicuously silent on these financial statements, suggesting that the ACC is now wielded solely as a tool to suppress and harass opposition party leaders.

During a virtual press briefing, the BNP leader highlighted the affidavits of Awami League's ministers, MPs, dummy candidates, and those standing in the upcoming election, drawing parallels to the magical lamp in the Arabic fairytale. He contended that the disclosed assets, including houses, cars, and apartments in affluent foreign locales, presented a utopian lifestyle for these candidates.

Rizvi accused the ruling party leaders of amassing significant wealth and cash over the past15 years, asserting that their family members had also become unusually affluent. He contrasted the financial success of Awami politicians with the losses faced by ordinary businessmen, characterizing Awami politics as a risk-free business venture where profits are guaranteed.

The BNP leader claimed that Awami League leaders accumulated substantial wealth and a fleet of cars through the supposed magic of the party. He pointed out the stark contrast between the modest annual incomes declared by ministers a decade ago and their current possession of considerable assets.

Rizvi alleged that ruling party leaders deliberately concealed information about ill-gotten money, overseas properties, and funds stashed abroad in their affidavits submitted to the Election Commission for the upcoming national election. He accused the ACC of being silent on the illicit assets of Awami League leaders, claiming that the commission turns a blind eye to the wealth accumulated by them.

Furthermore, Rizvi asserted that the ACC has been transformed into a biased institution, targeting BNP leaders and dissidents. He claimed that over 340 leaders and activists had been arrested in the 24 hours leading up to 5 pm on Wednesday.