Return or else: Ershad to dissenters

HM Ershad has come down hard on those in Jatiya Party who took part in the Jan 5 polls ‘disobeying his orders’.

“I ask those who want to cut off relations (from the party), to return among us. Come back to me if you want see a better tomorrow. Or else you’ll be thrown in to the gutter,” the Jatiya Party Chairman told a media briefing, the first after the election, on Wednesday.

He held a meeting of JP’s district representatives on the Upazila elections at a community centre in Dhaka.

“Jatiya Party will be stronger and take part in the next election,” said Ershad encouragingly.

Despite the former military dictator’s announcement to boycott the Jan 5 poll, a faction of JP headed by presidium member Raushan Ershad took part in it.

The party won 34 seats in the 10th Parliament and Raushan became the Leader of the Opposition.

Ershad himself has been elected a lawmaker from Rangpur, though he filed to withdraw his nomination which was not accepted due to ‘legal reasons’.

He has been appointed as the prime minister’s special envoy.

“I had a lot to say, but can’t spell it out. I even can’t explain clearly why we did not go for the polls. We’ll talk about this some other day,” the Jatiya Party chief said.

He told the dissenting partymen that he had boycotted the election for a reason and they should have followed the chairman’s order.

“I am taking responsibility for the 200 candidates who withdrew their nominations after my announcement.”

Alluding to the party leaders who had become members of the cabinet, he said,

“Jatiya Party will stand where I stand. That cannot be cut for worldly gains or posts.”

The former president assured the party members who were present that JP would move on without the dissidents .

“You are like my children. I created this party and raised it like my own blood. They are like my children too. If they come back I will forgive them,” an emotional Ershad said.

He asked the activists to campaign for the Upazila elections and announced that he would be travelling across the country for the campaigns himself.

Source: Bd news24