Jatiya Party
Raushon Ershad returns home from Thailand
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushon Ershad returned home from Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, on Monday after nearly seven and a half months of stay there for medical treatment.
She reached Hazrat Shahjajal International Airport around 12 noon, said her assistant private secretary Md Mamum Hasan.
Read:Raushon doing well, set to return home Monday: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader along with the party’s senior leaders welcomed the opposition leader at the airport.
Earlier on Sunday, GM Quader said Raushon, the chief patron of the Jatiya Party, was now doing well as her physical condition improved a lot.
Rahgir Al Mahi Saad Ershad MP (Rangpur-3) who along with his wife Mahima Ershad accompanied Raushon in Bangkok throughout her stay there said his mother is now fine, but very weak.
“She has problems in her legs and still can’t walk properly. It may take time for her to gain back her strength. She needs more physiotherapy,” he said.
Read:Raushon Ershad taken to Bangkok for better treatment
Saad said Raushon will also go to Bangkok for follow-up treatment on July 4 next.
On November 5 last year, Raushon was flown to Thailand by an air ambulance as her health condition turned critical. She has been receiving treatment at Bumrungrad Hospital since then.
Earlier, Raushon Ershad, 78, underwent treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) as she fell ill seriously due to old age complications.
Raushon doing well, set to return home Monday: GM Quader
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushon Ershad is set to return home from Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, on Monday after nearly seven and a half months of stay there for medical treatment.
She is scheduled to reach Hazrat Shahjajal International Airport at 12:10pm, said Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader who returned home from Thailand on Sunday noon.
Read:Raushon Ershad taken to Bangkok for better treatment
He said Raushon, also the chief patron of the Jatiya Party, is now doing well.
“Her physical condition has improved a lot,” the Jatiya Party Chairman said.
He asked party leaders and activists who are not preoccupied to be present at the airport by 12 pm to welcome Raushon.
Earlier on Thursday, GM Quader went to Thailand to visit Raushon.
Contacted, her son Rahgir Al Mahi Saad Ershad MP (Rangpur-3) who along with his wife Mahima Ershad has been accompanying Raushon in Bangkok since she went there said her mother is now fine, but very weak.
“She has problems in her legs and still can’t walk properly. It may take time for her to gain back her strength. She needs more physiotherapy,” he said.
Read: Eric announces new JaPa committee making Raushon chairman
Saad said Raushon will also go to Bangkok for follow-up treatment on July 5 next.
On November 5 last year, Raushon was flown to Thailand by an air ambulance as her health condition turned critical. She has been receiving treatment at Bumrungrad Hospital since then.
Earlier, Raushon Ershad, 78, underwent treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) as she fell ill seriously due to old age complications.
JaPa voices against EVM use in meeting with EC
The Jatiya Party (JPA), the main opposition party in the Jatiya Sangsad, does not want the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in parliamentary elections.
The party expressed their stand in their statement on Sunday taking part in a meeting of the Election Commission (EC) on EVM verification.
After the meeting, Japa secretary general Mujibul Haque Chunnu told reporters that a meeting of their presidium members on Sunday morning had decided that they will support the existing system of electoral process and they see no need to use EVM.
Chunnu said, "We have also presented this opinion to the EC in the meeting."
Also read: EC to sit with political parties in three phases regarding EVM
Asked whether he would boycott the polls if EVMs were used despite their views, he said "We will take the decision then."
The Election Commission has called 39 political parties for continuous discussions to verify the EVM. On Sunday, the EC invited 13 parties.
The remaining 26 parties will join in two phases on June 21 and June 28 for EVM verification.
In the first phase, the 13 political parties that were invited to the dialogue with the EC today are Jatiya Party (Ershad), the main opposition in the National Parliament, Jatiya Party-JP, Krishak Sramik Janata League, Bangladesh National Awami Party, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, Jaker Party, Bangladesh Muslim League, Gano Forum, Gano Front, Bangladeshh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasad, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal-Basad, Bangladesh National Awami Party-Bangladesh NAP, Biplabi Workers Party of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Sanskritik Muktijote.
In the second phase set for June 21, the invited political parties are Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal JSD, Bangladesh Khilafat Movement, National People's Party-NPP, Jamiyat-e-Ulamaye Islam, Bangladesh, Islamic Front Bangladesh, Bangladesh Kalyan Party, Islami Oikya Jote, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Islamic Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Islamic Front, Khilafat Majlis and Bangladesh Muslim League-BML.
Also read: Election using EVMs won’t be acceptable: Jatiya Party
In the last phase, the 13 parties invited on June 28 are ruling Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, Communist Party of Bangladesh-ML, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Liberal Democratic Party-LDP, Ganatantri Party, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasad, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal-Basad, Bangladesh National Awami Party-Bangladesh NAP, Biplabi Workers Party of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Sanskritik Muktijote.
Opinions about EVMs have already been taken in meetings with the best technologists in the country. They said after seeing the EVM, this machine is reliable.
The Election Commission wants to use EVM on a large scale in the upcoming 12th National Assembly elections. However, the company has decided to take everyone's opinion before that.
The EC currently has 1 lakh 54 thousand EVMs, with which voting can be done in maximum 100 seats while three hundred more machines are needed to use this voting machine in 300 seats.
Sitakunda Fire: GM Quader demands judicial probe
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday demanded a judicial investigation into the massive fire at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda to uncover the reason behind it.
In a statement, he said, “The nation has become shocked and stunned by such a terrible fire incident. Bangladesh's image in world trade has also been severely damaged.”
Also read: GM Quader expresses doubt about fair polls under ‘despotic’ govt
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said that it should be examined whether there is any negligence in the maintenance or the storage of the containers.
“Exemplary punishment should be ensured against those responsible for the blaze. A judicial inquiry committee should be formed to find out the real reasons behind the fire incident,” he observed.
The Jatiya Party chairman suggested enhancing Bangladesh's capacity to prevent fire incidents.
He expressed deep shock and sorrow over the huge casualties in the fire.
GM Quader prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls of the victims and conveyed his profound sympathy to the bereaved families.
He wished speedy recovery to the injured and urged the authorities concerned to ensure proper treatment of the injured.
Also read: Bangladesh has become a paradise for money launderers: GM Quader
The Jatiya Party chief also called upon the government to provide families of the injured and the dead with judicious compensation.
A deadly fire that broke out at BM Container Depot in Chattogram’s Sitakunda on Saturday night killed at least 49 people and injured more than 300 others.
Election using EVMs won’t be acceptable: Jatiya Party
Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu on Saturday said fair voting using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will not be possible.
“EVM is good, but those who will operate it are not neutral. So, the election using the EVMs will not be acceptable,” he said.
Chunnu also said Jatiya Party will decide in its party forum whether it will go to the polls or not if the Election Commission decides to use the EVMs in the next general election.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the conference of Jatiya Party’s 33-No ward in the city’s Mohammadpur area.
Also read: EC: EVMs to be customized in presence of candidates in Cumilla polls
The Jatiya Party leader voiced concern as a quarter suddenly lodged complaints with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against 116 alems (Islamic scholars).
“It’s important to find out why this quarter came up with such allegation. It’s also necessary to make an inquiry about their incomes, expenditures and wealth,” he said.
Stating that 400,000 crores have been siphoned off abroad from Bangladesh from 2009 to 2016, Chunnu wanted to know why it is not being investigated.
He renewed their party’s demand for publishing a list of money launderers and urged the government to take legal action against them.
The Jatiya Party secretary general also alleged that the country is spending three times higher than the actual costs in the name of mega projects. “Looting is taking place in the name of development.”
Also read: EVMs in national election won't be logical: GM Quader
He also said there is no difference between Awami League and BNP in terms of corruption and misrule. “So, the people of the country no longer want to see Awami League and BNP in power. They now want to see the government of Jatiya Party.”
Raushon, GM Quader greet PM ahead of Pahela Baishakh
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Raushon Ershad and Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ahead of Bangla New Year (Pahela Baishakh).
Also read: Bangla New Year: PM sends greetings cards to Raushon, GM Quader
Raushon and Quader, also Deputy Leader of the Opposition, greeted the Prime Minister by sending greeting cards to her, according to the Prime Minister's Press Wing.
A spokesperson for the wing said PM’s Protocol Officer-2 Md Abu Zafar Raju received the greeting cards at his office in the PMO in the morning from the Opposition Leader’s private secretary AKM Abdur Rahim and Jatiya Party Chairman’s Assistant Private Secretary Advocate Abu Taiyab.
Also read: Raushon Ershad taken to Bangkok for better treatment
GM Quader urges govt to avoid Sri Lanka-like trouble
Opposition Jatiya party chairman and deputy leader of the opposition GM Quader on Wednesday voiced fear that Bangladesh might face a Sri Lanka-like economic crisis.
He expressed his apprehension while delivering his winding up speech in Parliament.
Also read: Misrule, graft set people on fire, says GM Quader
“The incidents in Sri Lanka are making us concerned, it was the advanced country in the South Asia, but suddenly their economy suffers debacle,” he said.
He listed setback in tourism sector due to COVID-19 pandemic and wrong decision in agricultural sector for the crisis.
“They suffered huge production loss, took billions of dollar in loan in the name of development, they just crumbled due to huge loan burden,” he said.
The JP chairman said that for Bangladesh there are three sectors which are remittances, RMG and agriculture.
“There is risk factors...agriculture might face setback due to weather, many countries might not give duty facilities as Bangladesh has entered the middle income group and the economy might face a serious blow if the remittances suffer,” he said.
He also expressed his concern whether Bangladesh would be able to repay the foreugn loans.
“Our reserve is under pressure. We can not say definitely that our condition will not be like Sri Lanka,” he added.
Talking about the price spiral, the opposition leader said that this has created a serious issue across the country.
“Mass people are expressing their concern regarding this, but when this matter is discussed in the Parliament the ministers refuse to accept it,” he said.
“Commerce Minister said there is nothing to do for the government regarding this as the prices of essentials have increased abroad,” he added.
In this connection he said that mass people think that middlemen and syndicate are behind the price hike.
“Corruption and extortion in various level are behind the price spiral,” he said.
Also read: Soaring prices hit people hard: GM Quader
GM Quader said that the traffic jam in Dhaka city is just like hell.
“We want development, but development programmes must be taken in a planned way and to be completed in time,” he said.
“People of Bangladesh are under immense sufferings due to the development activities. All projects are running simultaneously, traffic jams must not take place under the mega plan of development,” he said.
Misrule, graft set people on fire, says GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday said the people of Bangladesh are now ‘burning like in hellish fire’ because of corruption, misrule, inequality and plundering.
“Those who live in a fool's paradise may think that we’re very well. In fact, 99 percent of the people in the country are not in good condition,” he said.
Speaking at a meeting of Jatiya Party’s Gazipur unit at party chairman’s Banani office, GM Quader also said one percent of people who go outside the country are plundering huge money sensing the real situation and they’re siphoning off money to different countries considering those as paradises.
READ: Soaring prices hit people hard: GM Quader
He also said sometimes the good news of victory in cricket and football seems to bring the breeze of cold air in the country. “But the people of the country are burning as if in hellish fire due to corruption, misrule, inequality and looting.”
GM Quader said Jatiya Party is neither the B-team of any party nor a partner of anyone's alliance. “An alliance will be formed under the leadership of the Jatiya Party in the next elections.”
He warned that if any of his party colleagues want to work as a broker of another party his or her place will not be there in the Jatiya Party.
The Jatiya Party chief alleged that Awami League and BNP have repeatedly come to power and killed democracy in the country since 1991. “Awami League and BNP have established a dictatorship in the name of parliamentary democracy.”
In the parliamentary system of government, the Jatiya Party chief said all power has been given to one person. “So, there’s no accountability anywhere. The country also lacks the rule of law and good governance.”
READ: Now election means murder, horror: GM Quader
GM Quader said people have now realised that Awami League and BNP could not and will not be able to ensure good governance in the country. “There’s no qualitative difference between Awami League and BNP. The people of the country are now looking for an alternative force.”
Soaring prices hit people hard: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday voiced concern that the country’s people are struggling hard to cope with the skyrocketing prices of daily essentials.
“People are in miseries. The government has raised the prices of fuel oil and gas, showing lame excuses,” he said.
Speaking at a programme at Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office, Quader said the transportation cost has gone up due to the rise in fuel prices.
“The prices of daily essentials are being raised by leaps and bounds on the pretext of increased costs of transportation and production,” he observed.
Also read: People want a change in politics: GM Quader
Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said the spending of people are only increasing every day but not their incomes. “People are now struggling to make ends meet for lack of money.”
He also said many people are also unable to receive necessary treatment for want of money. "The number of unemployed people is increasing, but there are no job opportunities for them.”
The Jatiya Party chairman said people want to get rid of the current situation of the country.
He alleged that both the Awami League and BNP have shattered the country's economy and market system, and it started in 1991.
“People no longer trust Awami League and BNP. They want to see Jatiya Party in power as an alternative force,” GM Quader observed.
He urged the leaders and activists of Jatiya Party to get more organised to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people.
“Jatiya Party will never back track from the movement for the protection of people’s rights. Establishing human rights is our politics.”
Also read: AL turned Bangladesh into 'hell': BNP
Noted businessman Mesbah Uddin Jiban Chowdhury joined the Jatiya Party by presenting a bouquet to GM Quader at the programme.
The Jatiya Party chief welcomed Mesbah and asked him to work for strengthening the party.
It’s AL-backed EC of bureaucrats: JaPa
Describing the new Election Commission EC as an Awami League-backed Commission of bureaucrats, Jatiya Party on Sunday voiced doubt whether it will be able to hold neutral and credible polls.
“The newly appointed Election Commission is an Awami League-supported bureaucrat-dependent one,” said Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu.
Talking to reporters after a meeting of Jatiya Party presidium members at the Banani office of its Chairman, he also said the activities of the new EC will exhibit how impartial they are.
Also read: Next EC not to make any difference, says BNP
Earlier on Saturday, President Abdul Hamid appointed former defence secretary Kazi Habibul Awal as the new Chief Election Commissioner.
Based on the search committee’s recommendations, he also appointed Brigadier General Ahsan Habib Khan (retd), former district and sessional judge Begum Rashida Sultana, former senior secretaries Mohammad Alamgir and Anisur Rahman as the four other commissioners of the new EC.
The tenure of the immediate past EC, led by KM Nurul Huda, expired on February 14.
Replying to a question, Chunnu said both BNP and Awami League could not hold neutral elections.
He recalled that their party’s late Chairman HM Ershad had earlier proposed the introduction of proportional representation in elections. “There’s no alternative to the proportional representation system for free, fair and neutral elections.”
This is a concept meaning that the number of parliamentary seats won by a party is proportional to the number of votes it received.
Also read: People want a change in politics: GM Quader
“It’s possible to have a fair election only in a proportional representation system,” the Jatiya Party secretary general said.
He, however, said political parties need to trust each other and cooperate with each other for holding the polls in a fair and acceptable manner.
“Fair elections will never be possible in Bangladesh if the political parties don’t reach a consensus about the election system,” he observed.
According to the current law on the Election Commission, Chunnu said the employees of the republic will work under the EC during the election period and they’re bound to listen to its orders. “But nothing has been said about what will happen if they don't obey (the EC’s orders).”
He said their party had a demand for enacting the law empowering the EC to take action against those who will defy its orders during the election period.
“The government didn’t enact that law. If a law is enacted empowering the Election Commission and the Commission shows goodwill, then fair elections will be possible. Or else, fair elections are difficult,” Chunnu opined.
Responding to another question, he said Jatiya Party is an election-oriented party, and they will decide whether they should join the next general elections or not under the new EC before the polls.