PM asks BNP MP Ferdousi Mishti to resign

BNP reserve seat MP Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti has been asked to resign from parliament as it moves to act over the attack, vandalism and plundering of the RADDA MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1, party insiders said.

When contacted, ruling party whip in the Parliament ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan told Asia Post, “I’ve heard that the Prime Minister asked Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti to resign from the Parliament. But I can’t say details as I’m now in my locality due to Prime Minister’s today’s visit to Feni.”

He assured Asia Post to say details later.

Party sources said, after the Radda health center incident, several BNP leaders, urged the party’s high-command to take stern action against the persons who involved to the attack, including reserve seat MP Mishti, whose name has come to the light immediate past the incident.

Mishti is the younger sister of late Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, a former MP of the BN. Her late husband, Sayeedur Rahman Newton, was a former Dhaka City Corporation ward councillor and BNP leader who was killed in 2002.

The pressure on Mishti follows the overnight attack on the nearly 50-year-old RADDA MCH-FP Centre on 25 September.

About 200 people allegedly attacked the premises, restrained security guards, plundered medicines and medical equipment, and brought in heavy machinery to demolish the facility.

Mishti’s name subsequently raised in allegations made by local residents, political figures and BNP activists over alleged connection.

Meanwhile, Mishti has denied any involvement saying she even did not know who was behind it.

Mishti had previously been associated with Somomona Dokandar Samabay Samity Limited, the cooperative whose signboard was put up on the property after the demolition. She was reportedly served as its president from 2002 to 2006.

Mishti said her name might be come to light due to this previous connection with the samity.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Wednesday that investigators were examining the alleged involvement of an MP and that no one would be spared if the allegation was substantiated.

Besides, Police have so far arrested 12 people in connection with the vandalism and looting. The officer-in-charge of Shah Ali Police Station has also been withdrawn.

The BNP and its front organisations have also dissolved three Dhaka committees and expelled 14 leaders over what the party described as indiscipline, anti-organisational activities without mentioning the Radda health care incident.