'Home Minister himself a problem, why was Ishraq Bhai targeted?' asks Patwary

Nasiruddin Patwary, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), believes that state minister for liberation war affairs, Ishraque Hossain, had been a scapegoat in the backdrop of deteriorating law and order situation across the country.

He said the junior minister (now resigned) had to conduct an operation due to the deterioration of law and order and the administration's failure to eradicate drugs. In his words, Ishraq is suffering the penalty for the Home Minister's faults.

He made these comments to reporters on Monday (October 19) morning after exchanging Sharadiya Durga Puja greetings at the Dhakeshwari Temple.

Nasiruddin Patwary said, "Ishraq Bhai has newly entered politics. His intention was good—to put an end to the drug issue; but due to the failure of the Home Minister, he fell into a trap."

He further added, "The problem actually lies with the Home Minister. Why was Ishraq Bhai shot? That means the Home Minister commits the fault, and someone else suffers for that sin. This is truly the Home Minister's failure. In the middle of it all, Ishraq Bhai fell into a trap."

"While Rome was burning, Nero was playing the flute. The country's law and order situation is in terrible shape, and Salahuddin Sahib is busy with the constitution," he added.

Controversy arose last Saturday over the presence of state minister for liberation war affairs Ishraq Hossain carrying a firearm during an anti-drug operation in capital's Gendaria. Later, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed him to resign from his post as state minister. Although Ishraq Hossain dismissed this directive as a rumor last night (Sunday), he announced his resignation this morning (Monday).