Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad is shifting stance over joining the January 5 elections repeatedly to “save his life,” a section of party leaders believe.
Several grassroots-level leaders and activists made this observation about the party chief while talking to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
“Our party chief wants to save his life. He does not want to go to jail in future. That is why, he is playing games with party leaders over joining the polls,” a party leader said wishing anonymity.
Because of Ershad’s whims, a division is created within the JaPa, they observe. Some leaders of the party, led by Rawshan Ershad, are going to take part in the polls claiming that they had consent of the party chief while another group, led by Ershad’s brother GM Quader, boycotts the polls saying that Ershad was against it.
Several days after joining the polls-time cabinet and announcement of joining the elections, Ershad retracted, a common move seen in the former military dictator. He said he would contest the election only if participation of all the parties was ensured.
Didarul Alam Didar, an organising secretary of the party, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We do not understand why our leaders are making contradictory statements over participating in the election.”
Seeking anonymity, a JaPa Presidium member, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Our sir [Ershad] through a statement said he was detained at Combine Military Hospital. But from there he sent a statement dissolving two committees and making two leaders Presidium members.
“He is well aware of the party’s current situation. He is not taking action against those who are joining the polls violating his order. It proves that he himself is involved in the game,” the leader said.
Another leader quoting a news report published yesterday in a Bengali daily said Ershad had gone to Kurmitola Golf Club to play golf on Friday.
Noakhali sadar upazila JaPa Member Secretary Abdur Rahim also believes Ershad was playing tricks over the polls.
Rintu Anwar, publicity adviser to Ershad, said: “We think sir [Ershad] knows about activities of both the sides in the party.” He, however, hinted that there might be more drama to be staged in the near future.
JaPa insiders said the leaders had decided to join the polls for “saving” their party chief or else, the ruling Awami League might revive the corruption cases against him. According to the affidavit Ershad had submitted to the Election Commission last month, he is facing at least 12 corruption and criminal cases.
Presidium member Mujibul Hoque Chunnu, also the tourism minister, yesterday said: “The Jatiya Party will join the polls under the leadership of Rawshan Ershad for the sake of continuation of the constitution.”
He made the “personal comment” after meeting Rawshan at her Gulshan 2 residence.
The statement came after Presidium member GM Quader reiterated that the party chief had been determined not to join the election.
On Thursday, another Presidium member Kazi Firoz Rashid at an election campaign said the JaPa was participating in the polls “with the consent of Ershad.” He also claimed that it was Rawshan who initiated the election campaigns with the consent of the party chief.
Meanwhile, party’s Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader did not hold the press conference scheduled for yesterday afternoon.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
