PM removed Ashraf for country’s sake: Suranjit

Awami League (AL) senior leader Suranjit Sengupta said on Friday Prime Minster (PM) Sheikh Hasina removed Awami League (AL) general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam from his post for the sake of the country and democracy, report agencies.
"Who will get which portfolio in the cabinet is the absolute decision of PM. She has every rights to make it. It might happen.  There is nothing to make a fuss about it….One thing has to be remembered that PM Sheikh Hasina has taken the decision for the sake of the country, nation, party and democracy", he said.
Suranjit, also the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law Ministry, came up with the remarks while addressing a discussion organised by Nouka Samarthak Goshti at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in the city.
He also said, "Syed Ashraf is a veteran and tested politician. A politician like him does not bother whether he is in charge of any ministry or not."
The former minister also urged government to form a higher probe body and investigate the charge against Liberation War Affairs Secretary MA Hannan for insulting freedom fighter Aiyub Khan in his office.
Meanwhile, AL Presidium Member Obaidul Quader said party chief Sheikh Hasina relieved General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam of LGRD ministry duties to help him devote more time to party work, reports bdnews24.com.
The road transport and bridges minister told journalists on Friday that Prime Minister Hasina's move could very well be directed to this end.  
Senior AL leaders were silent on Thursday's stripping of Syed Ashraf's portfolio, a politically important ministerial post he had held since Hasina returned to power for a second time on Jan 06, 2009.
He is the son of Bangladesh's acting President during the 1971 Liberation War, Syed Nazrul Islam.
Syed Nazrul was brutally murdered inside Dhaka's Central Jail on November 03, 1975 along with three other leaders.
His son proved his mettle when the military-controlled emergency government sought to punish politicians and banish Hasina and BNP chief Khaleda Zia from politics.
Quader treaded carefully, saying Hasina had the sole authority to decide on the Cabinet.
"Inclusion or exclusion of someone is entirely her decision."
Party insiders say a number of senior leaders were also critical of Syed Ashraf's style of functioning and civil servants often found it difficult to work with him.
Speculations started on Tuesday that the Kishoreganj MP had lost his position at the LGRD ministry after the prime minister expressed her 'anger' over his absence at an ECNEC meeting.
Before the official announcement, the 63-year old went to the PMO and spoke to Hasina privately for 15 minutes.