Ershad laments state of countrys politics
STAFF REPORTER
The nation is passing through a critical phase fraught with rampant corruption, killings, rape, and forced disappearance due to greed for power, Jatiya Party (JP) chairman HM Ershad said yesterday. He also said that Journalists are being muzzled by Section 57 of the ICT Act.
There is a high wind blowing across the country for power. Women are being raped. There is no good governance. This cannot go on, Ershad, who is also Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas special envoy, told reporters at a press briefing held at the JPs Banani party office.
Criticising Section 57, the JP chairman said: Journalists cannot present real facts in fear of Section 57. If they cannot write the truth, how are we supposed to get the actual situation? Such an anti-people law should be withdrawn.
The present government doesnt want peoples welfare. People are buying rice at Tk. 50 per kg, he noted. Why must people buy rice at Tk. 50 per kg? Why is there is no stock of rice? How can the minister give false information to the nation regarding rice stocks? he added.
Referring to a recent Supreme Court (SC) verdict, Ershad claimed that the apex court has presented the actual picture of the country. Here political landscape has been marred with rampant corruption, murders, and rape, he added.
Regarding the Bogra rape case, the veteran political leader said: Ruling partymen are involved in the incident. But a top Awami League leader simply said that Tufan was not their man! The JP chairman said he is ashamed as three members of his party have become ministers under the present government. They will resign very soon. The JP does not believe in the politics of violence. Well protest against every misdeed of the government through democratic means, he added.
When this correspondent asked the JP chief about his resignation from the post of the PMs special envoy, Ershad said: I have already informed the Prime Minister about my resignation. I cannot resign without her consent. If I resign without her consent, it would amount to dishonouring her.
Terming an upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) recent arrest as an unprecedented incident in the country, Ershad said: An UNO represents the government. How can a government official be arrested? The DC and SP of that area have been transferred because of this incident, but the masterminds have managed to remain behind the scene.
He asked the authorities concerned what was the fault of Siddiqur, a student of Titumir College, who lost his eyes in police action during a demonstration demanding proper holding of examinations .
He lamented that the politics of Bangabandhu, Hossain Shahid Suhrawardy and Fazlul Haque does not exist anymore. Now, politics has become marred by the greed for power, he said.
When asked about taking part in a meeting at former president B Chowdhurys residence, the JP chairman said: GM Quader went there at the invitation of the former president. He, however, mentioned that the JP has been trying to form a new political platform outside the orbits of the Awami League and the BNP.
When asked about the need to deploy the Army during the next national election, Ershad said: Its entirely up to the Election Commission (EC) to decide.
JP co-chairman GM Quader, secretary general Ruhul Amin Hawlader, and Kazi Firoz Rashid, among others, were present at the press briefing.
