Rizvi: Tulip grew up in London, but couldn’t cross her genetic line

BNP Senior Joint Secretary Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that Tulip Siddiq, who grew up and studied in London and became a member of parliament, could not escape her connection to Bangladesh’s Sheikh family.

He added that examples of corruption among UK Members of Parliament are almost impossible to find.

As a result, evidence of corruption against her stands out and has come to light.

Rizvi made the statement during a discussion marking the martyrdom anniversary of ATM Khaled, founder convener of Bangladesh Agricultural University Chhatra Dal.

Tulip Siddique, a four-time MP from the UK, was appointed as the first British-Bangladeshi Minister in the current UK cabinet in July 2024. She had been serving as the UK's City Minister and Anti-Corruption Minister.

Recently, the media reported her involvement in using a two-bedroom flat near King's Cross and another property in Hampstead, which led to her resignation on January 14, 2024.

Rizvi continued to say: "Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy signed a $500 million deal with Russia for the Rooppur Nuclear Project. There are allegations that Tulip took a bribe from it, which was withdrawn from a Malaysian bank. This is clearly reported by the media."

He also raised concerns about the Awami League’s contributions to the Liberation War, claiming that the party had humiliated many freedom fighters. He said that the party had been involved in corruption and money laundering under the guise of development.

Rizvi questioned why India had given shelter to Sheikh Hasina despite her history of corruption and involvement in the killing of students. He said: "How is it possible for India to shelter such a huge corrupt figure, a murderer of students?"

Rizvi, citing martyr mother Jahannara Imam, said: "A close associate of the Awami League said that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a great leader, but he was weak towards his family. He couldn’t control his sons and nephews. Jahannara Imam, who was close to Sheikh Hasina, mentioned this."

Criticizing the propaganda of the ruling party, Rizvi said: "What development in the country? They have established their relatives through extortion. They talk about development, but development is just a means for money laundering.”

He added: “Did they do development with their father’s money? In the name of development, they have brought thousands of crores from abroad and embezzled it."

Demanding justice for the murder of ATM Khaled, he further said: "It's been so long, why has justice not been served? This is the responsibility of the agricultural leaders as well.”

“It’s a matter of great sorrow that justice for a prominent student leader and freedom fighter's murder has not been delivered," Rizvi added.