A formal press conference of the Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) on Monday, addressing financial irregularities, was disrupted by a clash between supporters of two rival committees.
The Ad-hoc committee led by its president Md Azizur Rahman called the press conference at the BEA’s Eskaton office in the capital, but members and supporters of another interim committee led by Prof Mahbub Ullah intercepted them, triggering the clash.
Before the press conference, tensions escalated outside the BEA office as Mustafa Saiful Anwar Bulbul, a member of Mahbub-led interim committee, attempted to block the entrance, leading to a heated altercation between the two factions.
Law enforcement officers later intervened to remove the disruptive individuals from the premises. Eventually, Azizur Rahman’s group regained over the BEA premises and talked to the media on the ground floor.
Azizur accused the BEA’s executive committee of facilitating large-scale bank fraud and assisting in the laundering of billions abroad.
He alleged that prominent figures, including Dr. Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Dr. Abul Barkat, Dr. Ainul Islam, and key officials of the Bangladesh Bank and the Ministry of Finance were involved in these financial irregularities.
On August 3, 2024, members of the BEA Executive Committee met with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and allegedly endorsed acts of genocide, he also claimed.
He expressed outrage over this move, stating that those affiliated with anti-discrimination movements were appalled. “We demanded their immediate resignation because they have placed 8,000 economists of this country on a platform of murder. They no longer have the moral authority to remain in office,” he asserted.
Since then, his faction has initiated a movement and formed a 51-member Ad-hoc Committee.
Accusing the existing leadership of holding onto power for 16 years, Azizur emphasised that the Ad-hoc Committee aims to ensure a transparent election within the association.
He also criticised the formation of another interim committee on December 31, claiming it was packed with pro-Awami League members, former authoritarian regime associates and a relative of Dr. Abul Barkat. He alleged that their goal was to orchestrate a sham election to retain power, which his faction opposed.
The press conference also highlighted violent incidents. Azizur accused Mustafa Saiful Anwar Bulbul and his associates of assaulting the office caretaker, Ibrahim, who was subsequently hospitalised. He held Bulbul responsible for the situation.
Earlier in the day, a rally led by Azizur Rahman arrived at the BEA headquarters, joined by local BNP leaders, sparking another round of confrontations. The event ultimately culminated in Azizur’s informal pres briefing, where he reiterated demands for a leadership change and an end to financial misconduct within the organisation.
To prevent further conflict, law enforcement officers were deployed at the premises two hours before the press conference in response to the Ad-hoc committee’s request.
The power struggle within the BEA appears far from over, as both factions continue their battle for control while facing allegations of financial and political entanglements.
