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The National Parliament witnessed heated exchanges on Wednesday over allegations of political favouritism and nepotism in the appointment of fertiliser dealers.
Opposition MP Hasnat Abdullah accused the authorities of political bias and favouritism in the recruitment process, triggering repeated disruptions as Agriculture Minister Aminur Rashid responded.
The incident took place during the question-answer session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.
Taking the floor for a supplementary question, Hasnat showed media headlines on his mobile phone and claimed that 28 fertiliser dealers were affiliated with the BNP. Of them, 10 were reportedly wives, children or nieces of party leaders.
He also referred to an incident in Natore in which an MP’s son allegedly hacked a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader to death, claiming that the MP’s son had also secured a fertiliser dealership.
Hasnat questioned whether the appointments were part of a planned process and whether the dealerships would be reviewed.
In response, Agriculture Minister Aminur Rashid said several questions had been raised, but he wanted to clarify the appointment process.
Referring to Hasnat’s description of the recruitment as a “festival”, the minister said he viewed the term positively, adding that he wanted people to obtain dealerships in a festive atmosphere.
His remarks prompted opposition lawmakers to shout and protest.
Addressing the Deputy Speaker, the minister said he was a new minister and found it difficult to speak amid side conversations. He requested lawmakers to allow him to complete his response, adding that those dissatisfied with his answer could raise further questions.
Explaining the recruitment process, Aminur Rashid said two committees had been formed at the upazila and district levels, headed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Deputy Commissioner (DC), respectively.
He said applicants had to meet specific eligibility criteria set by the ministry. Applications were initially submitted to the DC’s office and forwarded to the UNO for scrutiny by a committee comprising agriculture officials and local representatives.
As the minister continued, fresh disruptions broke out.
At one point, Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal asked Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam to maintain discipline among opposition lawmakers, saying they had both the right to speak and the right to receive answers.
The minister further said the district-level committee, headed by the DC, could include the local MP as an adviser.
Despite the minister finishing his statement, shouting and protests continued. The situation eventually calmed down following the Deputy Speaker’s intervention.
