BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed offered an apology to the country’s people on Monday for what he termed “inadvertently using a vehicle owned by the S Alam Group”.
"I would have exercised more caution had I known the vehicle belonged to a specific company. Nevertheless, I apologise if I hurt the feeling and sentiment of the country’s people with my oversight and unintended mistake,” he said.
The BNP leader expressed his regret while talking to reporters at his Gulshan residence on Monday afternoon.
Explaining the incident, Salahuddin said some national dailies published a report on Sunday that the vehicle he used in Cox’s Bazar was owned by S Alam Company.
“I participated in the reception in my own constituency after 10 long years. I could not decide which vehicle I would take from the airport. It was determined by the district BNP leaders who organised the reception,” he said.
After landing at the airport, Salahuddin Ahmed said their party leaders and activists requested him to get in that vehicle.
“I was not in the mood at that time to find out whose car it was. I was emotional as I was returning to my home district after 10 years. There was a strong desire in my mind when I would be able to visit the graves of my parents,” he said.
After media reported about the vehicle, Salahuddin said he came to know that one of his younger brothers from his area, who used to look after S Alam’s land issues, came with that vehicle as the company allowed him to use the vehicle on different occasions.
“That man came to the airport like others to welcome me in that vehicle. Neither he nor I knew that I would get into that vehicle.”
Since reports on the matter were published in the media, it was natural that confusion was created in the public mind.
Salahuddin Ahmed reportedly traveled from Cox’s Bazar Airport to his village home in Pekua on August 28 in a vehicle owned by the S Alam Group, currently under investigation by the CID for laundering huge sums of money abroad by taking illegal loans from at least six banks it controlled, also in breach of the rules.
Various videos of Salahuddin Ahmed's convoy arriving in Pekua from Cox's Bazar Airport were shared by BNP leaders and activists on social media.
In one such video, Salahuddin can be seen sitting in the front seat of the vehicle (Mitsubishi Wagon Jeep) with the plate number Chattra Metro G-11-1533, which belongs to the S Alam group. He is shown waving his hand to greet the people around him.
When asked about a possible conspiracy related to the S Alam car incident, the BNP leader suggested focusing on exposing the damage caused by long-term authoritarian rule.
He emphasised the need to highlight how various institutions, including the judiciary, law enforcement, and media, have weakened under fascist government.
Salahuddin stated that everyone should focus on exposing those involved in enforced disappearances, killings, and abductions, including those linked to ‘Ayna Ghar’ and those who supported the extension of fascist rule.
Although some perpetrators have been arrested, he said proper interrogation is lacking, and the mysteries behind the enforced disappearances remain unsolved.
The BNP leader also said all should now support the current interim government in reforming the state structure for the benefit of the people. "If we avoid such personal matters, it would be better. Nevertheless, I apologise again for my carelessness."
When asked about a media report claiming that the driver of the vehicle was known to him, Salahuddin responded, "I did not say this to the reporter from that newspaper. I don't know how they wrote it. It appears to be a misquote.”