Ishraque Hossain resigned as state minister for liberation war affairs on Monday, announcing his decision at a news conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka at 2:00 pm.
He said he had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and offered to resign to prevent the controversy surrounding him from damaging the government’s image.
“I, Ishraque Hossain, am a BNP member of parliament elected by the people of Dhaka-6 constituency. I took the oath on February 12. The prime minister gave me the responsibility of state minister in the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. I have been carrying out my duties accordingly,” he said.
He said the news conference was intended to address an issue that had received coverage in domestic and international media over the previous two days.
“Today I had a discussion with the prime minister. There I told the prime minister that I want to resign. My anti-drug campaign will continue, so that your and the government’s activities are not tarnished because of me,” he said.
Ishraque pledged to continue his campaign against drugs as a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activist despite leaving the cabinet.
“This time, not as a member of parliament or state minister, but as a BNP activist, I will work against drugs with a hundred times more enthusiasm, InshaAllah,” he said.
He also pledged to intensify cleanliness drives and visit different districts to strengthen the nationwide organisation of Projonmo Dal.
“Not minister, drug eradication! Drug eradication, drug eradication!” he said.
Earlier on Monday, Ishraque announced on his verified Facebook page that he would formally declare his resignation at the National Press Club.
His resignation followed controversy over an anti-drug drive in Dhaka’s Gendaria area on Saturday, during which he was seen carrying a firearm. People accompanying him were also seen carrying weapons.
Videos of the incident circulated on social media, prompting widespread criticism.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman subsequently directed Ishraque to resign, according to reports. The directive came after the two met at the Secretariat on Sunday following a cabinet meeting.
Speaking to reporters before his news conference, Ishraque said he was resigning for special reasons but would continue his campaign against drugs.
He said the party had not wanted him to leave the cabinet and that he had taken the decision himself.
“From now on, I will take to the field even more aggressively and declare war against drugs,” he said.
FP/A
