Dhaka: Awami League will not take responsibility for Foreign Minister Ak Abdul Momen’s recent statement on India, as he is not a member of the party, said Presidium Member Abdur Rahman.
“Our party’s power does not come from any country’s support. The foreign minister has to explain what he meant by that statement,” he told reporters after a program in the capital’s Dhanmondi on Saturday.
He further noted that Awami League would not feel embarrassed if the media asks it about the remark, as it did not come from the party itself.
On Thursday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen reportedly said that he urged the Indian government to back Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina so that she can stay in power at a Janmashtami program in Chittagong.
However, the following day, the foreign minister claimed he told the Indian government that Bangladesh would be happy if India helps our country in maintaining stability, noting that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants stability and communal harmony in the country.
Besides, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said the party has never requested India to provide the party with support to stay in power on Friday.
“The Awami League has never requested India to provide support to stay in power and no one has been given responsibility by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to say it. This may be one's personal opinion,” he said.
Earlier on August 12, another comment by Dr Momen stirred criticism.
He reportedly told journalists that people in Bangladesh are happier than those in many other countries as if they are living in heaven amid the global recession.
However, he later clarified that the use of the word “heaven” was not in its “true sense”, but only meant for comparing the situation in Bangladesh with other countries amid the global economic crisis.
