BNP now wants PM's resignation

Initially seeking the finance minister and Bangladesh Bank governor's resignation over the around $100 million of the central bank being stolen by hackers recently, BNP yesterday demanded that the prime minster do the same shouldering the responsibility.

BNP Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed made the demand at a press conference at the party's Naya Paltan central office in the capital.

"I, on behalf of BNP, demand that the stolen money be recovered and those involved punished. Bangladesh will not get any respite only through the resignation of the finance minister and the governor," he said in a written statement.

"The resignation of the prime minister alongside the duo can ensure the liberty of the country, its people and democracy," he said.

Rizvi said such an incident took place as the government did not take any strong action against plundering of public money from the banking sector.

He alleged that there was an evil effort to cover up the incident as the "big fishes" were behind it.

"The central bank fell victim to plundering as the government did not take any stern stance against Basic Bank, Hall Mark, Bismillah Group and state banks and the looting of a huge amount of money from the capital market," he said, adding, "Why did the incident come to light one month after it took place?"