“Only checking corruption, we can increase our GDP growth by almost 2 percent. We must root out corruption and communalism if we want to move the country forward,” he said.
Menon, also Workers’ Party President, was addressing a commemorative meeting on renowned journalist Kazi Siraj marking his 1st death anniversary.
Bhasani Followers Council organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club.
The minister also urged people to demand that the next government must take steps to root out graft from the country, no matter which party comes to power. “We can do it as we’ve uprooted drugs menace and militancy.”
“Bangladesh has made progress in all the sectors, including national production, income and technology, but we are stumbling in one place repeatedly and that is corruption,” he said.
Talking about Kazi Siraj, Menon said he always maintained honesty in journalism and never used it as a tool of opportunity. “Materialisation of his dream –- corruption-free and non-communal Bangladesh -- will be the best honour to his departed soul.”
“Kazi Siraj had lots of dream, including building corruption-free and non-communal Bangladesh,” Shahriar Akter Bulu, wife of the late journalist, said urging all to come forward to fulfill his dream.
Former minister and Secretary General of Jatiya Party (Zafar) Mostafa Jamal Haider, former Foreign Secretary Shamser Mobin Chowdhury and Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta were, among others, present at the memorial meeting Secretary General of Bhasani Followers Council Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu in the chair.