Feroz now says he wanted cash for the party, not gift

Newly-appointed Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad, ASM Feroz demanded cash from the people of his own constituency at Bauphal in Patuakhali asking them not to bring gift for him. Speaking at a reception on Friday after being elected as the Chief Whip at Bauphal sadar upazila which was arranged by the front organizations of local Awami League Feroz asked people through the loudspeaker to give him cash instead of crests as gift. He told the audience that he would be in his political office [from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday] where he would receive the cash. His demand for cash in the public meeting made it a matter of cross country discussions at public places.  “I want cash. What I want is cash, cash and cash, not crest. I had to spend a lot of money for contesting the election. So, cash will be very useful for me. What I will do with these crests, he told the meeting. Meanwhile, the “cash issue” became a matter of gossip among the lawmakers in the parliament lounge during yesterday’s evening session. Several lawmakers were also seen talking in low voice about the matter on the Sangsad floor as it came up briefly for discussion. Sources close to the JS said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her annoyance over the Chief Whip’s public statement. Feroz was reportedly asked to remain cautious before making any more public statements in future. added the sources.Local sources said that the Chief Whip’s cash demand issue has created widespread criticism among the local political leaders and activists of Bauphal where several ruling party men also harshly criticized him [Feroz] for such a ‘unique demand’.Local AL leader, Jasin Uddin Farazi said: “It made me astonished! I didn’t believe it at first, but the videos tell us everything.” Meanwhile, the associates of the Chief Whip publicly manhandled a local reporter yesterday and a case has been filed against him for publishing the report. Meanwhile, Feroz denied the fact and also declined to say sorry for publicly seeking money. He criticised the media for publishing the news. “It should have been better had the news not been published in newspapers,” he said at a pres briefing at the media center of the Sangsad Bhavan. Feroz who was elected in January 5 election unopposed said the story was not correct. Meanwhile, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today termed the speech of Feroz as omen to good governance and democracy and asked him to withdraw his comments.Declining the comment, he said “I said this with a smile,” Feroz, who enjoys the status of a cabinet minister said at the briefing that there were many words before and after the sentences which the media did not carry properly.”The media have exaggerated my comments,” he alleged seeking divine blessings so that they get themselves corrected.Replying to a question, the Awami League leader said he will not go for any measures against the media.”I will not make apology as I did not actually mean that. Rather, those who have done it with an intention to assassinate my character should apologise.”Identifying himself as a national level leader, Feroz said there are some people in the Awami League in Bauphal and other areas who might have hatched a conspiracy.”Sometimes they contest elections against me and sometimes they help BNP and Jatiya Party against me.”To welcome Feroz, hundreds of arches were set up on about 15km road from Boga to Bauphal upazila town. This was his first visit to his constituency after being appointed the chief whip.In a statement, TIB called upon the Speaker of parliament and lawmakers to judge the relevancy of the chief whip post and his stance for unbridled corruption.TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, “Such statement will encourage corrupts.” He called upon the prime minister, Speaker and Jatiya Sangsad to reveal their course of action in this regard.The TIB executive director also termed the argument of chief whip as unacceptable.