I am in politics for the welfare of people: Kazi Siraj

DHAKA, Dec 3: The aim in politics is to do welfare for people and involve himself in the development of the country. The two-time elected Awami League (AL) lawmaker of Faridpur-1 constituency (in 1996 and 2001), Kazi Sirajul Islam has recently said this while talking to the Risingbd at his political office in the capital’s Gulshan area. Kazi Siraj – a veteran politician, chairman of Amin Jewelers, director of Prime Bank Limited, chairman of City Hospital Limited, adviser of Sonar Bangla Life Insurance Company Limited, member of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and director of People’s University – shared his untold views to the Risingbd about politics, business and socio-cultural activities of the country through an interview. The main points of his interview are highlighted for our valued readers:   

Risingbd: The country’s politics is questionable to mass people. So, why did you involve in politics?

 

Kazi Siraj: Politics means development, politics means to serve people and politics means to serve the country. Actually, it’s a voluntary service. And being inspiration from humanity, I was involved myself to the country’s politics. My principle aim to do politics is to remain beside people with their well and woe and I have wanted to do something for the people’s welfare. Today politics is controversial. Somebody does politics to make bigger his/her business. But I am doing politics for the welfare of the people and I will continue to do for the same.

Risingbd: Do you believe to do welfare for the people is not possible without politics? 

Kazi Siraj: Yes, it is possible. But I want to construct and repair roads, schools, colleges, madrasas etc. and it is hardly impossible without politics. 

Risingbd: There are many political parties in our country. Why did you involve yourself in the politics of Bangladesh Awami League? 

Kazi Siraj: The greatest Bangali of all ages and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the great leader of Awami League. And the party’s main aims and objective is to do work for the country as well as welfare of people. If the AL remains in power, it does work for the welfare of the country. In this context, inspiring by the ideal of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, I joined the politics of Awami League.

Risingbd: You resigned from the Awami League in 2005. Again you came back the party. What is the reason of it? 

Kazi Siraj: I resigned from the Awami League in 2005 because of the political pressure of the then ruling party (BNP). The ruling party men threatened my wife in many ways including making herself widow. They also threatened me to kill me like former Finance Minister SAMS Kibria and lawmaker Ahsanullah Master. In this fearful situation, I joined the then ruling BNP but I never attended the party’s meeting or rally anymore, because I heartily believed in the Awami League politics and thought myself as an activist of the AL. 

Risingbd: If you are elected MP again, what’s your development mission regarding the constituency?
Kazi Siraj: As an elected Member of the Parliament (MP) in 1996 and 2001 from Faridpur-1 constituency (Alfadanga-Boalmari-Modhukhali), I did massive development works, such as construction of roads, bridge-culverts and educational institutions in my locality. Some of the development works remain incomplete. If I become elected again, I will try my best to prioritise the incomplete works specially in development of roads, schools and madrasas. Besides, I have done some works with my own finance.   

                
Risingbd: Which works you have done by your own finance in your locality?

Kazi Siraj: Financed by myself, I have established Kazi Sirajul Islam Mohila College at Boalmari, Kazi Sirajul Islam Homeopathic Medical Colllege at Alfadanga and Kazi Sirajul Islam High School at Modhukhali respectively. Besides, I have also engaged in different social activities including establishment of school, college, madrasa and orphanage. 

Risingbd: What is your future plan in this context? 

Kazi Siraj: I want to stay beside helpless people and to ensure education for all in my locality. This is my dream and future plan regarding my people. 

Risingbd: Thanks for giving me time and patient hearing. 

Kazi Siraj: Thank you too and wishes a bright future for the Risingbd – the emerging online media of the country.

Risingbd/BHM