Special allocation of ministry funds: Advisor Asif accused of arranging electoral benefits in three constituencies

Staff Correspondent

Questions have been raised about nepotism, opacity, and electoral motives surrounding the special allocation provided by the Ministry of Local Government for the development of 274 religious and social institutions in Dhaka.

It has been publicly alleged that Advisor Asif did this to benefit a particular group known as the King’s Party.

Out of the total 274 allocated institutions, all but one, 273 institutions fall in just three parliamentary constituencies in Dhaka – Dhaka-9, Dhaka-10 and Dhaka-11. Although there are a total of 20 parliamentary constituencies in Dhaka, Advisor Asif did not allocate any to the remaining 17 constituencies.

Student advisor and local government advisor Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan has faced questions about the allocation to these three seats. This is because the Dhaka-10 seat received the largest share of the allocation, where a total of 4.43 crore taka was allocated. More than half of the entire allocation.

And Asif Mahmud became a voter in this seat just a week ago, and he can vote from here. Such rumors are circulating not only in political circles, but also within the administration.

It is learned that out of the 274 projects, 145 institutions are in Dhaka-10. The rest are in Dhaka-9 and Dhaka-11, where two top leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP), a close ally of Asif Mahmud, will contest in the next election.

Allegations have been raised that government allocations have been poured into the constituencies of those close to the student advisor before the elections. Political parties allege that undeclared government benefits are being given to prepare the polling stations.

Advisor Asif, however, claimed that he did not know on whose recommendation the allocation was made. But leaders of political parties say this is a clear example of nepotism, which has been done to benefit a specific group before the elections.

According to Election Commission rules, such allocations cannot be made after the schedule is announced. Although this allocation is not legally questionable before the schedule is announced, the debate is intensifying on both ethics and fairness.

Local Government Reform Commission member Professor Mohammad Tariqul Islam said that giving special allocations to certain seats before the election is undoubtedly eye-catching. It can be seen as an attempt to exert electoral influence.

Earlier, the allocation of Tk 4.2 million given to 14 institutions in Dhaka on October 5 did not raise much question as it was in different areas of the city. But this time, the allocation was exclusively in three constituencies, making the allegations of nepotism more credible.

Many have accused student advisor Asif Mahmud of using government funds for personal and political gain. They claim this is an abuse of power, politicization of government allocations, and a clear attempt to influence the upcoming elections.

The schedule for the 13th National Parliament election will be announced next month. In the meantime, Asif Mahmud has also announced that he will resign from the post of advisor and contest from a seat in Dhaka. As a result, the allocation debate has intensified.

Local government expert Tariqul Islam said that such special allocations not only create controversy while rational reforms are underway, but also question the acceptability of future elections.