Jahangir removed, probe body formed

Beleaguered Jahangir Alam was suspended from the post of Gazipur City Corporation Mayor on Thursday six days after expulsion from Awami League (AL).

Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tazul Islam confirmed the development in a press conference at Secretariat on Thursday.

A three-member probe committee, led by additional secretary of the LGRD Ministry Mustaqim Billah Farooqui, has been formed. “The committee will report back soon.”

A three-member mayoral panel, comprising Asadur Rahman Kiran, councilor of Ward-43, Md Abdul Alim Molla, councilor of Ward-52, and Ayesha Akter, councilor of Ward-10, of the city corporation, has been formed for running the city corporation activities as per rules, according to a notice issued by the ministry on Thursday.

The notification directed the former mayor to hand over charge to the nominated panel within three days following the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009. On October 3, AL issued a show cause notice on GCC Mayor over his controversial comments on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the number of martyred freedom fighters.

On November 19, Awami League suspended Jahangir from the central committee.

Jahangir recently made some comments about Bangabandhu and the number of martyred freedom fighters at a programme and the video of it went viral.

UNB adds:

“Various allegations are there against Jahangir Alam and those have been taken into account. The ministry can suspend a mayor for the sake of investigation according to the Local Government (City Corporation) Act,” the LGRD Minister added.

Replying to a question, Tajul Islam said the former mayor allegedly captured public land, embezzled money and abused his power.

Jahangir Alam, however, said he will submit an application requesting the Prime Minister to review the decision.

The notice said Jahangir’s viral comments damaged the image and popularity of the political organization.

It is equal to going against the interest of the organization and breaking its disciplines which is a punishable offence according to the party’s constitution, the notice said.

Jahangir was asked through the letter to explain why organizational action should not be taken against him.

The mayor claimed that conspirators and anti-election groups have spread the ‘technologically manipulated video’ as a pernicious campaign against him.