Govt wants to loot GB funds, alleges Dr Yunus

DHAKA, July 1: The government is trying to take Grameen Bank under its control for looting its capital, alleged Grameen Bank founder and Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus on Monday.

"Who doesn`t know about the loss-incurring state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Bangladesh? Now, the government pays attention to the Grameen Bank. It (government) is trying to take Grameen Bank in its grip for looting its money," he told two delegations of politicians and academics when they called on him at Yunus Centre, Mirpur in the capital on Monday.

Dr Yunus said the government has already borrowed huge amount of money from the state-owned banks. Now, it wants to take control of Grameen Bank to loot its money.

The political leaders included Jatiya Party presidium member Kazi Zafar Ahmed, LDP President Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed and Krishak-Sramik Janata League president Bangabir Abdul Kader Siddiqui.

Speaking on the occasion, Kazi Zafar Ahmad said they would not accept any harm to Grameen Bank. "My party will also remain beside Dr Yunus to protect the Grameen Bank," he said.

LDP President Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed pledged to work for protecting and upholding the image of Grameen Bank at any cost.

"They (government) are now trying to split the Grameen Bank. Probably, they don`t know that they will not remain [in power] after two to three months as their days are now being counted," he said. 

Kader Siddiqui also pledged to extend all-out support and cooperation to Dr Yunus for protecting the Grameen Bank.

Any ill-motivated attempt of the government to take control of Grameen Bank owned by 8.4 million poor women, would be resisted at any cost, he asserted.

Kader Siddiqui also urged Dr Yunus to join active politics for the greater interest of the country.