Local govt minister says they are looking into the relevant laws
A decision on whether Gazipur Mayor Jahangir Alam, expelled from the Awami League over remarks on Bangabandhu and 1971 martyrs, can remain in his office is likely to come within a day or two, said Local Government Minister Tajul Islam.
Speaking to the media after the weekly Cabinet meeting on Monday, he said they were looking into the relevant laws.
Jahangir was elected as the mayor of Gazipur in 2018 on the ruling party’s ticket. He served as the general secretary of the party’s Gazipur metro unit.
On Friday, the Awami League expelled him from the ruling party after an audio of his remarks on the nation’s founding father and Liberation War martyrs spread on social media.
Jahangir, however, claims he is the victim of a “conspiracy”.
Speaking to the media at his residence a day after the party’s decision, he said he will appeal the party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to review the decision.
“If I could speak to the honourable prime minister over that audio and video, she would understand. Then maybe she would not take the strict action she has,” he said at the time.
On September 22, a four-minute video of Mayor Jahangir making some derogatory comments on Bangabandhu and the martyred freedom fighters during a conversation with an unidentified person went viral on social media.
Tension within the party became obvious on September 24, when the mayor’s supporters as well as his opponents demonstrated by blocking the highway near Board Bazar.
Since then, party supporters of the rival groups have been staging protests and counter-protest in the city.
