BNP says Atiur just a fall guy

Saying that only the resignation of Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman is not enough, BNP yesterday demanded that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government step down taking the responsibility for the stealing of Tk 800 crore from the bank's account.

Addressing a press briefing at the party's central office, BNP joint general secretary Rizvi Ahmed said the governor's resignation had proved that government high-ups had links with the stealing of money from the bank's account with the New York Federal Reserve Bank last month. 

"The prime minister and the entire government are liable for the heist and they can't avoid responsibility," he said.

Earlier in the morning Atiur Rahman submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Quoting media reports, Rizvi said the amount of money stolen was not Tk 800 crore, it was US $800 crore, which was equivalent to Tk 6,500 crore.

Rizvi, however, did not mention name of any media that gave the figure of Tk 6,500 crore.

Separately, BNP standing committee member ASM Hannan Shah demanded a judicial probe into the stealing to find out the "real culprits".

Talking to reporters at the capital's Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), Hannan Shah said, "Why will the Bangladesh Bank governor alone be made a scapegoat?

"There are also other big fish in the government including the finance minister behind the heist. Actions should be taken against all of them," he added.