DHAKA – Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad on Saturday said his party won’t take part in the next general elections under the present Election Commission (EC).
“I was never in favour of the caretaker government system as this government had carried out repression on me. I wanted making the Election Commission stronger but the present EC has lost its confidence,” he said while addressing an Eid Reunion and discussion meeting at a hotel in the city.
The former president questioned how they take part in the elections under the present EC since it lost its power by itself.
Terming the parliamentary democracy totally abortive, he said the election methods and the government system should be changed.
Ershad also of the opinion to introduce Presidential Government to remove instability from the country.
He said the Prime Minister’s that her government would not deviate at all from the current Constitutional provisions on the holding of the next general election in the country is not a political speech since politics means understanding.
Ershad termed hartal is a constitutional rights and said taking measure to stop hartal is a work of sick people. That’s why the statements of government to stop hartal proved that the government was formed comprising sick people, he added.
He regretted that truth speaking people has to go to prison and became the victim of enforced disappearance.
The JP chairman blamed the government for its failure to protect the lives and property of the people.
He held the politicians responsible for the incident of Oishy and said, “Our society and politicians have created Oishees as many politicians are involved with drug business.”
Presided over by JP presidium member SM Faisal Chistee, the meeting was also addressed, among others, by party secretary general ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, Kazi Zafar Ahmed, MA Sattar, Fakir Ashraf, Tajul Islam Chowdhury, Mostafa Jamal Haider, Ziauddin Ahmad Bablu and joint secretary Advocate Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan. – Staff Reporter
Meanwhile, an UNB report adds: Ershad he and his party will work for the Hindu community to resolve their problems if given a chance. He also said he would make arrangements to keep seat reserved for the representatives of the Hindu community to ensure their leadership in running the state.
The former President gave the assurance while exchanging views with the Hindu community leaders at his Banani office ahead of Janmastami. Ershad also urged the government to cancel the ‘Kha’ list under the Vested Property Act. “We have ensured equal rights of all citizens. The Hindu community will in no way be deprived. Their logical demand must be addressed.”
JP Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Hawladar, Presidium members Ziauddin Bablu and Sunil Shubo Roy, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad vice president Kajal Devnath, adviser Subrata Chowdhury were, among others, present.
