AL lawmaker Ruhi refutes allegation of extortion

21 November 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Netrakona

Mostaque Ahmed Ruhi, the ruling party lawmaker from Netrakona-1 constituency, has denied the allegation of extortion by opening a bank account in the name of "destitute welfare fund". Speaking at a press conference at Netrakona Press Club Thursday night, Ruhi said he has been working for the welfare of poor people and he is not involved in any corruption or extortion. Leaders of Durgapur and Kalmakanda upazila units of Awami League (AL) organised the press conference protesting the news items published in The Daily Star on November 15 and in Jai Jai Din on November 19 against the lawmaker. On November 15, The Daily Star published that lawmaker Ruhi has reportedly been realising huge amounts of money from local contractors, coal importers, dealers in white clay, two sub-registry offices and market lessees in the name of an unregistered destitute welfare fund. During the press conference, Ruhi refuted the allegation of extortion in an emotion-choked voice. Saidur Rahman Akunji, general secretary of Durgapur upazila AL and Anwar Hossen Azad, general secretary of Kalmakanda upazila AL, among others, spoke at the press conference. While talking to journalists, local AL leaders could not give any satisfactory reply as to why they formed the “destitute welfare fund” without taking permission or registration from the authorities concerned. They also could not say the exact amount of deposited money. They, however, claimed that the bank account was opened to collect money from the well-to-do people who want to help the poor voluntarily.