Ruling party MPs have debts of Tk 11,000 crore: Nahid

Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has stated that members of the current parliament have debts exceeding Tk 11,000 crore, with the majority belonging to the ruling party and classified as large-scale defaulters.

He claimed that a businessman was appointed as Governor of Bangladesh Bank specifically to facilitate the rescheduling of this massive debt.

Nahid made these remarks while participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks on the President’s address in the National Assembly session on Thursday. 

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal presided over the session.

Citing data from Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Nahid Islam said that 59.41 percent of those who contested the election from the current government party are in debt. He added that parliament members collectively hold debts of more than Tk 11,000 crore. Before the election, they deposited some money and rescheduled their loans. 

He alleged that the current governor is an expert in such rescheduling, which is why he was appointed to the position.

He remarked that for the first time in the country’s history, a businessman has been made Governor of Bangladesh Bank to create opportunities for rescheduling loans worth thousands of crores of taka. In such a situation, common people have lost confidence in the financial sector.

Nahid further pointed out that according to election rules, loan defaulters are barred from contesting elections. However, many managed to become members of parliament by making partial payments and rescheduling their loans before the polls.

He cited specific figures, including debts of Tk 1,700 crore, Tk 765 crore, Tk 679 crore, Tk 621 crore, Tk 201 crore, Tk 182 crore, and Tk 97 crore owed by various members of parliament.