If PM wants…

AMA Muhith yesterday said he would remain as the finance minister for another year, if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wanted him to do so.

In this case, Muhith will set a record in presenting the national budget in parliament.

Speaking to reporters at his  secretariat office, he said that the decision depended on the prime minister, adding that if the PM  asks him of anything, he does not say “no”.

Before the election, however, Muhith had said he would go into retirement after the polls.

The finance minister did not contest the polls this year. Instead, his brother AKM Abdul Momen contested and won from a Sylhet constituency on Awami League's ticket.

After the election on December 30, Muhith attended office yesterday.

Government high-ups said the PM may give the responsibility of being the finance minister to Muhith until the next annual     budget is passed. If he presents the next national budget, Muhith will be setting a record of placing the budget 13 times.  Earlier, during the tenure of the BNP government, finance minister M Saifur Rahman had presented budget 12 times.

A finance ministry official said they have not yet received any message to the effect that Muhith will not continue as finance minister. “If he had not continued, preparations for a farewell would have already been underway,” he said.