Opposition BNP on Friday accused the government of arresting Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad as he is staying away from the one-sided and stage-managed election. In a statement, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “We think Jatiya Party Chairman and ex-president HM Ershad has been arrested only because he is not taking part in the stage-managed election. It proves that democracy no longer exists in the country.” He said the government’s move to hold the lopsided election is nothing but a farce. The BNP leader condemned the arrest of the Jatiya Party chief and demanded his immediate release. Fakhrul said they are concerned over the way the ex-president was arrested. Earlier on Thursday night, members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) picked up Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad from his Baridhara residence and took him to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka Cantonment. Commanding officer of Rab-1 Col Kismat Hayat told media that Ershad was taken to the CMH as he suddenly fell sick. The rumour of Ershad’s arrest was in the air since his announcement to boycott the next parliamentary election slated for January 5.
Jatiya Party Presidium Member GM Quader on Friday said party Chairman Ershad is in good health and his decision to boycott the January-5 national election remained unchanged. “He (Ershad) have told us that there has been no change in his decision to boycott the polls…directive of party chairman Alhaj Hussain Muhammad Ershad to withdraw candidature still remains valid,” the former Commerce Minister told a press conference at a Gulshan residence at noon. JP secretary general ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader and Presidium Member Kazi Firoz Rashid were also present at the press conference. A few JP supporters were seen chanting slogans and wanted to know why the press conference was not arranged in the party office. A private television channel broadcast the press conference live from Howlader’s business office. Howlader was also seen venting his anger to some of the protesters. GM Quader tried to quell the situation and asked reporters not to repeat questions. GM Quader also said he and party secretary general went to the CMH (Combined Military Hospital) in the morning and met Ershad. He also hoped that all the JP candidates will withdraw their candidatures by today (Friday), and mentioned that the JP was always in favour of taking part in the polls. “Now in this situation, Ershad’s decision is final.” If anybody takes part in the polls going against the decision of party chief, the organisation would take steps against him or her, he said in a note of warning. Replying to a query whether Raushan Ershad was acting as the party chief in absence of Ershad, the JP leader asked newsmen to go to her to find out the answer. On Thursday night, members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) picked up Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad from his Baridhara residence and took him to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka Cantonment. Commanding officer of Rab-1 Col Kismat Hayat told media that Ershad was taken to the CMH as he suddenly fell sick. Meanwhile, JP Presidium Member Raushan Ershad had a series of meetings with other JP presidium members – Barrister Annisul Islam Mahmud, Mujibul Haque Chunnu and Kazi Firoz Rashid, JP sources said. Party insiders said a faction of JP led by Raushan Ershad is ready to take part in the January-5 elections. – UNB
