Naming one 'Mamun' for interfering with the power ministry's affairs, Selim pointed out that while Iqbal Hassan Mahmood was the state minister, and the prime minister is the full minister, it is the principal secretary to the prime minister who has been vested with the power to direct the sector.

The Hawa Bhaban's ignoring the chain of command has stagnated the sector, he said at the seminar organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue.

His observations instantly sparked an argument with BNP lawmaker Shakhawat Hossain Bokul who, in reference to the mentioned Mamun, asked Selim, "Tell me who was (Sheikh) Helal [who used to interfere with the ministry during the (AL) regime]?"

The state minister for power who chaired the seminar asked Selim if he had any proof of Hawa Bhaban's interference.

To this Selim pointed out that the power sector problems stem from the interference and lack of leadership. He said the state minister for power could not take a decision in four years and resorted to re-tendering the same project over and over again.