'Pillow, curtain scams are petty graft'

A senior Awami League leader has described the allegation of corruption in Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant housing project and curtain procurement for the Faridpur medical college hospital as "petty".

"Neither lawmakers nor ministers were behind these. It is nothing huge like the corruption by Hawa Bhaban [during the 2001-06 BNP regime]. No alternative power center was created during our (Awami League) term to loot [people's property]. Corruption in pillow and curtain procurement cannot be compared to that of Hawa Bhaban corruption," General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Saturday (Sept 7).

Quader, who is also the road transport minister, was speaking to the media after a meeting with the party joint and organizing secretaries at AL chief Sheikh Hasina's Dhanmondi offices.

Speaking of the party decision, the Al leader said more than 150 rebel candidates of AL in the Upazila election would be show-caused on Sunday (Sept 8).

The list of show-caused leaders would include central to local leaders.

No sympathy would be shown when it comes to maintaining the party discipline, Quader warned.