Allegations by a top aide to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia that eight advisers in the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus have engaged in “rampant corruption” have stirred political debate in Dhaka. ABM Abdus Sattar, Zia’s personal secretary, claimed on Friday that he possesses evidence of the alleged wrongdoing – the first time since the Yunus-led administration took office on Aug. 8 last year that such charges have been levelled against so many advisers at once. The government has dismissed the accusations. In a statement on Saturday, Cabinet Secretary urged Sattar to hand over all evidence to the “appropriate authorities” for investigation.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir distanced the party from the remarks, saying the statement was “entirely Sattar’s own” and not linked to the BNP. Sattar has not withdrawn his comments.

It is unclear whether the government or the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will act on the allegations, or whether Sattar himself will comply with the request to submit documentation.

Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said Sattar, a former government official, should supply the documentary proof he claims to hold. CPD honorary fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya warned that failure to respond to the government’s call could undermine the credibility of future corruption claims. Sattar’s phone has been switched off since Saturday, and Press was unable to reach him or the ACC for comment.