State Minister Ishraq Hossain to Make Final Resignation Announcement at Press Club at 2pm
State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain has said he will make a final announcement on Monday afternoon regarding his resignation from the post of state minister. He gave the information in a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday morning (19 October) — and that announcement is now the most talked-about topic in the country's politics.
In his post, Ishraq wrote: 'Today at 2pm at the National Press Club, I will make the final announcement of my resignation from the post of State Minister for Liberation War Affairs and face the journalists, InshaAllah.' He will formally announce his decision through a press conference at the National Press Club.
In the post, he set out in detail his position and the reasoning around his decision. He also made clear his plans for after leaving the post of state minister.
Ishraq wrote: 'This time, not as a member of parliament or a state minister, but as a BNP worker, I will work against drugs with a hundred times more enthusiasm, InshaAllah. The cleanliness programme will be strengthened further.'
He further wrote: 'I will be able to tour various districts to increase the organisational strength of the Projonmo Dal across the country.' At the end of the post, he raised the slogan: 'Not a minister, eradicate drugs! Eradicate drugs, eradicate drugs!'
In the post, Ishraq also made a pointed remark aimed at some people on Facebook. He wrote: 'I saw some so-called civilised people writing celebratory posts on Facebook. I hope that if there is ever a need for movement and struggle in the future, they will be inspired by nationalist ideals, come to the country from abroad and join that movement.'
When contacted on the matter, Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP's media cell, said he had learned about Ishraq's press conference. He said Ishraq would announce his final decision regarding the resignation there.
Earlier, on Sunday night, rumours spread that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had directed State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain, who had sparked controversy by displaying weapons during an anti-drug drive, to resign from the cabinet. However, Ishraq Hossain had described the matter as a 'rumour'.
After Sunday night's rumours and his own dismissal of them as rumour, Ishraq's Facebook post on Monday morning has brought the matter back to the centre of discussion. His post makes clear that he himself is going to announce the resignation.
All eyes are now on the press conference at the National Press Club at 2pm. There, Ishraq will not only announce his resignation but will also face journalists and answer questions, as he stated in his post.
What he says at the press conference about the reasons for his resignation, the controversy surrounding the anti-drug drive, and his future political plans remains to be seen. The reaction to his announcement in the cabinet and in party politics will also become clear today.
