HM Ershad is set to face reporters for the first time following the days of drama before and after the national election.
The Jatiya Party chairman will preside over an extended meeting of representatives of the party’s organisational districts at a community centre in Gulshan on Wednesday.
File Photo
“Sir will address party workers and reporters on 12th of February,” said Jahid Hossain Biplop, publicity secretary of the party’s central executive committee.
The chief of Jatiya Party, formerly a key ally of the past Awami League government, had gained a ‘phantom-like’ reputation for his various indecisions about participating in the 10th national election.
He, in the end, decided not to take part in the controversial election but his move to withdraw nomination for Rangpur-3 fell through because of ‘legal loopholes’.
The deposed dictator, therefore, ended up winning a seat in the Jan 5 polls.
Ershad’s long stay at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), where he was taken by the RAB on Dec 12 last year, added to the mystery surrounding him.
He remained there while Bangladesh went to vote and until the new Cabinet was sworn to office on Jan 12.
Ershad took oath in Parliament on Jan 11, a few days after the rest of Jatiya Party, which has emerged as the second largest bloc in Parliament to replace the BNP as main Opposition.
During the swearing-in he told Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, “The people of Rangpur voted for me, so I came.”
Ershad returned home, at President’s Park, after being made special envoy to the Prime Minister.
After he came out of CMH, Ershad was present in programmes to nominate women candidates for reserved seat but did not face reporters.
“The Jatiya Party Chairman was staying away from the media upon his ‘release’ as ‘ordered from upstairs’,” a Jatiya Party leader, known for being close to the chief, told bdnews24.com.
“But he has decided to re-emerge since the situation is normal now.”
When asked about the upcoming programme Jatiya Party Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader said, “You know how he loves you all. Sir will come to Wednesday’s programme and say a word or two – that’s it.”
About Ershad being absent from Parliament except the opening session, he said, “I have no idea. He will be there is there is an important meeting.”
Source: Bd news24
