Ershad questions existence of democracy in country
Former dictator and Jatiya Party (JP) chairman HM Ershad, who seized power when he was the head of the army in a bloodless coup against President Abdus Sattar in 1982, yesterday wondered whether democracy exists in Bangladesh. Ershad was in power till 1990, when he was forced to resign following a popular uprising led by Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. All political parties, except JP-Ershad, have been observing the day as Freedom of Democracy Day since December 6, 1990. I left power to protect democracy. But where is democracy? I dont know when people will see the face of democracy, said Ershad, who is also the special envoy to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while addressing a gathering at Diploma Engineers Institution in the city. JP organised the discussion to mark its Constitution Protection Day.
People now think it would have been better if I were in power, so that democracy can be established, said Ershad.
JP secretary general Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, water resources minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, presidium members SM Faisal Chisti, Delwar Hossain Khan, Mir Abdus Sabur, Saifuddin Ahmed and JP Dhaka metropolitan south unit president, Syed Abu Hossain Babla, also took part in the discussion, among others.
However, the people would forget the past misdeeds of the ruling Awami League (AL) if the upcoming municipality polls are held in a fair and credible environment, he added.
