Tofail slams TIB for city polls remark

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed sharply criticised the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Wednesday, saying that the anti-graft watchdog hardly sees the government's development activities, reports UNB.

"We (the govt) have done many works. The government has been able to give a boost to export and forex reserve and established Bangladesh as a dignified country in the global arena. Did TIB say anything about that any day?"

Tofail, also a member of the Awami League (AL) Advisory Council, said this while addressing a discussion organised by Awami Jubo League marking the 35th Homecoming Day of Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina at Mohanagar Natya Mancha.

Tofail also said, "I got stunned when TIB or other organisations talked about the city corporation polls. The polls were held without any casualty or violence in any polling centre. What can Awami League do if BNP doesn't provide polling agents?"

A TIB study report on Monday said the elections recently held to three city corporations - Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) - were not fair.

The minister claimed that the Awami League-backed mayoral candidates won in three city polls due to massive development works carried out by the government.

"Once people had to suffer for gas, water and electricity. Now the Awami League government has resolved those problems. And that's exactly the reason why the AL-supported mayoral candidates won the three city polls," he added.