Former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury MP said on Saturday that he didn't commit corruption while discharging his responsibility as a minister.
He firmly defended himself by saying that not a single taka was embezzled by himself while he was a minister.
"If anyone can prove that I committed corruption, even involving a single taka, then I will quit as Member of Parliament (MP). I didn't use government transport and enjoy house while I was the minister," he said at a press briefing at the National Press Club in the capital. He held the press briefing against the backdrop of corruption allegations against him reported in the media.
"As a minister (former) I have the accountability to the people and the government. Please don't mingle business with politics. We are a family having a business background and long bright history," he said.
He also said that he had submitted affidavit to the Election Commission (EC) in line with the tax return guidelines.
"As there is no provision to mention offshore assets so foreign assets were not mentioned in the affidavit," he said.
"As a minister I have done a lot for the Ministry of Land. Many talked about corruption. If I had any evil intention, I did not work so much for betterment of the land ministry," he continued.
Mr Saifuzzaman said that they had houses in London, the United Kingdom and in the United States that he had been aware of and enjoying since his childhood.
"We didn't take money from Bangladesh so there was no necessity to get their (government department concerned) permission," he continued.
"My business career is far bigger than my political career. It is possible to do business smoothly abroad without taking money from Bangladesh. If the business abroad fares well earns goodwill and name and fame, then it is possible to get loans from there (banks abroad)," he said.
"Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) spread confusions by revealing its reports just seven days before the national election (held on January 7, 2024)," he said.
"Many said that I took advantages while I was a minister. Many people incurred financial losses during Covid-19 and at the same time many people also gained and maintained their businesses nicely during the pandemic," he continued.
"There was no need for permission from Bangladesh Bank. I will be happy if a high-level investigation is carried out. The investigation will reveal what I did and I am ready to accept that report happily," he said.
"The people of Bangladesh should feel proud that we have businesses in the UK, US and other countries," he said.
"I have been involved with my business since 1991 whereas I entered politics in 2013. Our assets have increased over long years. The TIB and any organisation in London may carry out investigation," he added.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com