Project politics and fight among ministers
Differences have cropped up in recent days between two powerful cabinet ministers over an intended railway project, where the conflicting sides are not even showing any interest to know the ‘poor’ railway minister’s view in this regard.
Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen and Planning Minister Abdul Mannan have locked horns after Momen sent a Demi Official (DO) letter to Md Nurul Islam Sujon over selection of the route of a planned railway track from Chatak to Sunamganj. What’s interesting is that feasibility study of the project has yet not been completed.
It’s also not a multi-billion dollar project like other ongoing government’s mega projects. But it has already started spreading heat-wave in the political arena across Sylhet. As Mr Momen and Mr Mannan both are of the same party in the same region, this project has become a prestige issue for both.
There are six lawmakers in Sunamganj, of them five have joined hands with Mr. Momen for sending the DO letter to railway minister bypassing the planning minister. Mr. Mannan did not conceal his annoyance over the issue. He blatantly said: “The foreign minister should have discussed the matter with me. But he did not even phone me up. If there was any other person in his place he possibly would not do the same error.”
Since 1954, there was railway connection stretching from Sylhet city to Chatak. Now government wants to expand the line to Sunamganj sadar. But feasibility study on communication easiness, financial profit, majority people’s benefit, etcetera are not a matter of consideration for the ministers. Their only consideration is local politics to tighten the grip in their own constituencies for making their supporters happy.
What is important is that the public need is not the main consideration. Who will get how much from projects that is the main consideration. If the dispute is over public interest than it would be easy to solve. But if it is for money sharing the there will be complications about who is to be satisfied.
