Thieves broke into the office of former military strongman HM Ershad early yesterday and stole around Tk 43 lakh in cash, said party officials. "The money was for paying salaries of office staff," said Faisal Chisti, a presidium member of Jatiya Party. Thieves broke the locker at Ershad's Banani office and took away the money, he said. Police have visited the spot. A case is being filed over the theft.