Jamaat demands probe into alleged political bias

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged widespread political favouritism and irregularities in fertiliser dealer appointments, demanding an investigation and punitive action against those responsible.

The party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, made the allegations at an emergency press conference at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, on Thursday.

Porwar alleged that dealers had been appointed on political considerations in violation of government policies, contributing to fertiliser distribution problems and causing difficulties for farmers. 

He blamed government mismanagement, nepotism, corruption, black-market sales and smuggling for the reported shortage.

Jamaat placed six demands, including an immediate investigation into alleged irregularities, political influence and financial transactions in dealer appointments.

The party called for public disclosure of eligibility criteria, selection procedures and the basis for issuing licences. It also demanded investigations into allegations of money being collected in exchange for dealerships and legal action against those involved.

Porwar claimed that party letterheads had been used to influence appointments in some areas. He cited allegations of financial irregularities in Dinajpur and Badarganj in Rangpur.

He further alleged that dealerships had been awarded to non-residents, people without prior experience in the fertiliser trade and multiple members of the same family. He also raised concerns about allegedly fictitious warehouses and agreements.

Referring to Pirgachha upazila in Rangpur, Porwar claimed that a dealer appointment list submitted on BNP letterhead included leaders affiliated with the Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party. He also alleged that the appointment process had disregarded a High Court order.

The allegations could not be independently verified.

Porwar also criticised the government’s approach to constitutional reform, alleging that opposition parties were being excluded. 

He called for implementation of the referendum verdict and urged the government to pursue reforms through the Constitutional Reform Council in accordance with the applicable legal framework.

He called for dialogue with opposition parties to reach a parliamentary solution, expressing hope that the government would cooperate with the opposition in the next parliamentary session.

Highlighting rising production costs and commodity prices amid shortages of fertiliser, oil, gas and electricity, he urged the government to ease the hardships faced by farmers and urban residents.

Jamaat Assistant Secretaries General Maulana Abdul Halim, Advocate Muazzam Hossain Helal and Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, among other party leaders, attended the press conference.