Dhaka, June 15 -- State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam has called it a "mere coincidence" that two newly created union councils in Bogura bear the names of his two sons.

Addressing parliament on Monday, he said the names -- "Simanta" and "Diganta" -- for the unions under the newly formed Mokamtala Upazila were chosen by the local administration following "scrutiny and public hearings".

The government announced the new unions on Jun 11.

The state minister's two sons are named Mir Simanta and Mir Diganta.

Shahe Alam's remarks followed Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Md Shafiqul Islam drawing attention to the matter.

"The local administration, Upazila administrator and deputy commissioner, after scrutinising and holding public he...