Prime Minister's Adviser for Education and Primary and Mass Education Mahdi Amin on Monday praised MP Ishraque Hossain’s nationalist ideals and patriotism, but said the BNP would remain uncompromising in ensuring accountability.

In a Facebook post, he wrote, “I am currently in Saudi Arabia to perform the holy Umrah for a week. It was from here that I learned that my dear brother and one of the uncompromising faces of the struggle on the streets, Ishraque Hossain, has resigned from the cabinet.”

He said his personal relationship with Ishraque went back many years and he was aware of the former state minister for liberation war affairs’ role as a fearless fighter in the anti-fascist movement and the July Mass Uprising, as well as his family legacy.

“There may be questions and differences of opinion regarding his recent methods and processes of work. However, there is no room for the slightest doubt about the objectives, ethics and rationale of the initiative that has generated so much discussion.”

Mahdi said Ishraque’s political identity or sacrifices could not be measured by his position as a state minister or his resignation letter, as his contributions to the people and the party were far more meaningful than any temporary decision.

On the government’s actions, he said the message was quite clear.

“Even when there is room for controversy over the implementation of a bold and people-friendly initiative by a dedicated and popular young leader who enjoys the confidence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, accountability is being ensured. We believe that accountability will continue to be maintained at every level of the government in the coming days as we move forward on the journey of building the state.”

He ended by saying Ishraque’s resignation was by no means the end of a chapter.

“Rather, through self-realisation, correction and the love of the masses, it may open the way for him to take on even greater and more people-oriented political responsibilities in the future, Insha’Allah.”

Ishraque on Monday announced his resignation from the post of state minister for liberation war affairs, saying, “I voluntarily asked the Prime Minister to relieve me of my duties as state minister for liberation war affairs from today onwards.”

The announcement came following a controversy over his public display of a pistol during an anti-drug operation in Dhaka.

A video of the so-called raid posted on Ishraque’s Facebook page showed the MP brandishing a pistol while chasing suspected drug users during an anti-drug operation in Dhaka on Saturday.

The incident drew widespread criticism of a sitting lawmaker and state minister taking law enforcement into his own hands.

On Sunday, Daily Waadaa reported, citing two highly placed sources, that Ishraque had been asked to resign following the controversy.

Another source said he had been barred from attending a cabinet meeting.

His office subsequently rejected the resignation reports as false, baseless and politically motivated.

At Monday’s press conference, however, Ishraque acknowledged seeking release from his ministerial responsibilities but maintained that the initiative came from him, not the Prime Minister.