Stating that constitutional dictatorship has been established in the country, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday alleged that practising democracy is not possible when all powers are there in one person’s hands. “Those who unfairly gave HM Ershad the title of dictator, they themselves established a dictatorship by amending the constitution. Awami League and BNP have repeatedly amended the constitution and established a constitutional dictatorship in the country,” he said. As all powers are in the hands of the prime minister, the Jatiya Party chief said whatever she says is now law. “It can never be a democracy and it cannot be a democratic practice.” Also read: EC makes itself questionable: GM Quader GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, came up with the remarks while speaking at the publication ceremony of a book titled "Chhotder Pallibandhu" written by Sunil Shubo Roy at the Banani office auditorium of the Jatiya Party Chairman.   He said political opponents have spared many lies against Jatiya Party founder HM Ershad but they did not succeed. “Pallibandhu (Ershad) remains there in the hearts of the common people of the country. The political reality is now down with democracy and let dictatorship continue.”   The Jatiya Party chief also said Ershad’s political opponents carried out many false campaigns against him to belittle him. “They falsely branded Pallibandhu as corrupt, but no cases were filed against him or any Jatiya Party leaders during the anti-corruption campaign of clean heart and another such a drive during the 1/11 political changeover.” He accused Awami League and BNP of indulging in corruption whenever they came to power since 1990. GM Quader said many cases were filed against the leaders of the two major parties on the charges of indulging in corruption by the 1/11 government, but the cases against Awami League leaders were dropped when the party came to power. “BNP could not withdraw the cases as it’s out of power.” Also read: Govt can’t evade responsibility for Momen’s comments: GM Quader He alleged that there is now no sector in the country where there is no corruption. “Corruption has entered every corner of the country.”  The Jatiya Party chairman also alleged that Awami League and BNP have initiated politics of vengeance in the country since 1990.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Thursday said the Election Commission (EC) has brought itself to question by taking the decision to use EVMs in up to 150 seats, ignoring the opinion of most political parties. “It seems that the Election Commission is implementing the government's agenda,” he said. GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, made the remarks while speaking at a meeting of the Jatiya Party Dhaka north city unit’s council preparation committee at the party chairman's Banana office. Also read: AL hails EC decision to use EVMs in 150 JS seats in next polls Opposing the EC’s move to use the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the next national election, he said the illiterate and poorly educated people of the country still cannot read the names of the candidates and the common people vote in elections by looking at symbols of the candidates. “Most of the political parties and common people think that the EVMs are vote rigging machines. So, political parties and common people do not want the EVMs to be used in the election,” the Jatiya Party chief observed. In such a reality, he said the decision to use the EVMs in the general election is ill-motivated. Also read: BNP turns down EC’s move to use EVMs up to 150 seats “Common people think that the Election Commission is working to bring a political party to power,” GM Quader viewed. Earlier on Tuesday, the EC decided to use the EVMs instead of traditional ballot papers in the maximum 150 constituencies out of 300 ones in the next general election likely to be held late next year. The decision came from a meeting of the election agency on Tuesday with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal in the chair at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday expressed deep shock over the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.   In a condolence message, he said’ “The late Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe was a true friend of Bangladesh.” Under his leadership, the Jatiya Party chief said Japan became a unique development partner of Bangladesh.   Also read: Bangladesh observing state mourning paying respect to Abe “The news of the death of such a genuine friend of Bangladesh can’t be accepted,” said GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament.  He also condemned the murder of the former Japanese Prime Minister. The Jatiya Party chairman prayed for the peace of the departed soul of the late Prime Minister of Japan.  He also expressed his sympathy to the bereaved people of Japan. Meanwhile, Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu also expressed deep sorrow over the death of Shinzo Abe. Shinzo Abe, 67, died after being shot while giving a campaign speech in Japan on Friday. Abe immediately collapsed and was seen bleeding before he was taken to hospital. The attack on Abe and his subsequent death shocked the entire world. Bangladesh is observing state mourning today (July 9) showing deep respect to Japan's longest-serving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader has said the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the next parliamentary election will not be logical. "Voting by EVMs will be illogical in a country where symbols are used next to the candidates' names as many voters can't read," he said. GM Quader was addressing a meeting of the Jatiya Party Dhaka North unit at the party chairman's Banani office auditorium. The JP chief said no candidate can challenge the results of the election that is held using EVMs for lack of ballot papers. "The results that the voting machines give will be announced. It is like the government wants to send the people of the country to the Mars, but a living environment has not been created there." Also Read:  Deaths on roads on the rise for lack of effective steps: GM Quader  GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in Parliament, said: "The way the country is being run will end the dream for democracy."  He  urged the leaders and activists of the JP to get ready to carry out a struggle for their survival. The JP leader said there is no democracy in the country as an one-party dictatorship has been introduced. "Autocracy has been given legitimacy by amending the constitution. The country has been under a constitutional dictatorship since 1991."

Jatiya Party Chairman on Saturday urged the government to lower the fuel prices as oil prices fell in the global market. “Fuel prices have been hiked with an excuse of growing oil prices in the international market,” he said. The Jatiya Party chief said the unnecessary hike in oil prices has made people's lives miserable. “The oil prices are now falling in the global market. Why are oil prices not brought down here?” He made the remarks while addressing an extended meeting of Dhaka south city unit of Jatiya Party at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh. GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said the oil prices were very low in the world market earlier, but the government did not decrease the prices in the country. Read: Prices soaring for no reason: GM Quader He also trashed the government’s logic to keep the prices higher to prevent the smuggling of fuel. “It’s never possible to smuggle fuel oil without a tanker or a pipeline. The Jatiya Party chief said former president HM Ershad during his rule had kept the price of oil at Tk 7 per liter by giving subsidies. “The price of that diesel is now Tk 80.” He said the people of the country go through sufferings when the fuel prices remain high as it pushes up the prices of all commodities and services. As the fuel prices rose, GM Quader said the owners and workers of public transport went on a strike without any prior announcement, leaving lakhs of commuters in misery. He said some government officials concerned raised the fares of transports after a meeting with transport owners. “The fares of gas-run buses have also been hiked through the gas price was not increased.” Read: UP polls: GM Quader says no change in centre-capturing culture GM Quader alleged that the transport workers are collecting much higher fares than the fixed ones. He said power tariffs have also been increased while the prices of daily essential commodities are skyrocketing. “People are struggling to make ends meet. No one seems to have control over the market.” The Jatiya Party chairman also said the farmers are not getting fair prices of their produce though all the essential items are being sold at exorbitant prices in the market.    

Jatiya Party Chairman on Tuesday voiced concern that the ongoing Union Parishad (UP) polls have become a matter of panic instead of festivity. In a statement, he said, “The second and third phases of Union Parishad elections are going on across the country. These elections of the local government were once held in a festive manner in the country. Now these polls have become a frightening matter instead of festivity.” Read: Prices soaring for no reason: GM Quader GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in Parliament, said the Election Commission has completely failed to maintain law and order in the ongoing UP elections. “Attacks and exchange of fire over elections have become a daily affair. People have become panicked over the killing and violence every day,” he observed. The Jatiya Party chief said the country’s people do not want to see bloodletting in the name of elections. He also voiced frustration over the inaction of the Election Commission (EC) in ensuring a congenial election atmosphere. Read: Raising fuel price, transport fare an anti-people move: GM Quader GM Quader also said the EC’s role in the UP polls gives an impression that it has nothing to do with polls violence. He said people are getting disappointed as the violence and terrorist activities are taking place every day in front of the members of the law enforcement agencies. GM Quader said some people have already been killed in election violence. “Terrorists hacked to death two sons of a mother at Kathuli union of Gangni Upazila in Meherpur. “Nothing can be more unfortunate and painful than this.” He urged the Election Commission to take more stern measures to curb election violence. The Jatiya Party chief said it is not acceptable that the EC will be unable to maintain a peaceful environment after declaring the election schedule. “Tougher initiatives need to be taken to hold polls in a free, fair and neutral manner.”  

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Thursday alleged that the government has enhanced the fuel price ‘illogically’ as it will increase the costs of living further. “Fuel prices have been hiked irrationally. If the fuel prices go up, the costs of production and transportation of goods will increase,” he said. GM Quader, also the leader of the opposition in parliament, said people’s lives have already become unbearable due to the rise in commodity prices. “As the prices of fuel rise, people's lives will now become more miserable.” Speaking at a programme at Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office, he also said the sufferings of people will only be mounted if the government runs the country with a business attitude. GM Quader called upon the government to govern the country with the mentality of serving people instead of doing business. He said the fuel prices have been increased with an excuse of rising oil prices in the international market. “Fuel prices were much lower on the international market during the corona period, but the fuel prices were not reduced at that time.” Read: Private operators’ LPG: Price goes up again The Jatiya Party chairman wanted to know where the money has gone that was earned during the low fuel prices in the international market. He said fuel prices should be kept tolerable even by giving subsidies. GM Quader also said Bangladesh ranks 124th out of 139 countries in the rule of law index. “We’re lagging behind in various international indexes. This is very unfortunate.” Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van, Tank Lorry and Prime Movers Owners and Workers Coordination Council called an indefinite nationwide strike from Friday in protest against the fuel price hike. Leaders of the organization said the government raised the toll of Bangabandhu Bridge and Muktarpur Bridge from 257 percent to 300 percent “illogically” on November 2 and then it raised the prices of fuel, said a press release. On Wednesday, the government raised the prices of diesel and kerosene at the retail level. Read: Fuel price hike: transporters to go on indefinite strike from Friday Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) said the petroleum prices have been readjusted against the backdrop of price hike of petroleum on the international market. Meanwhile, the price of private operators’ liquified petroleum gas (LPG) has been raised to Tk 1,313 per 12-kg container from Tk 1259 with effect from Thursday (Nov 4) at the retail level. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the new price at a press briefing.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday said the prices of daily essentials keep soaring without any reason for lack of monitoring of the market. “The vegetables that the farmers are selling at Tk5 per kg are being sold in the market at Tk 50-60 due to the middlemen and extortionists,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, GM Quader also said the extortionists are collecting tolls from goods-laden vehicles in a free style by opening offices in different areas. READ: Bangladesh politics not for good people any more: GM Quader The Jatiya Party chief said common people have become completely baffled due to the unusual hike in the prices of essential commodities. “But there’s no one to check it.” He said if the price of any product is increased by Tk 1 abroad, it is increased up to Tk 100 in Bangladesh. “Those who’re supposed to monitor the market, they’re indulging in corruption. So, there’s no solution to the problem.” READ: Identify reasons why police failed to control violence: GM Quader Jatiya Jubo Sanghati arranged the programme at Jatiya Party chairman’s Banani office, making the National Youth Day 2021. GM Quader said many mega projects are being implemented in the country, but there is no effective step for creating job opportunities for the unemployed youth of the country. He said the government must take pragmatic steps for creating employment opportunities for around 4.5 crore jobless people. “The employment of youths should be ensured in all mega projects in the days to come.” The Jatiya Party chief lamented that the government is hardly bothered about the suffering of jobless youths. “No one seems to care about jobs for youths.” Unable to find work in the country, he said many young people are going abroad in many ways risking their lives. “Young people are dying while crossing the sea in unauthorised dinghy boats. Youths lose their lives while going abroad through deserts or jungles. What can be a more tragic incident than this!” He said the government can take mega projects as those who stay abroad send most of their income home. “But the expatriates are harassed as soon as they land at the airport.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Thursday said they are waiting for the opinions of doctors to send ailing Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushan Ershad abroad. “Begum Raushan Ershad has long been undergoing treatment at Dhaka CMH. Her blood pressure and heartbeat are good, but she’s not in good shape,” he said. Quoting doctors, the Jatiya Party chief said the opposition leader has been suffering mainly from old-age complications. “The doctors are trying their best to ensure her proper treatment (at the CMH). She’ll be taken abroad if the doctors advise so,” he said. READ: Identify reasons why police failed to control violence: GM Quader GM Quader made the remarks while speaking at a doa mahfail at Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office arranged by the party seeking speedy recovery of Raushan. He urged people to pray for the opposition leader so that she recovers fast. Raushan, also the chief patron of the Jatiya Party, was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMM), Dhaka on August 14 with an unusual level of carbon dioxide in her lungs. She has been receiving treatment at the same hospital since then with a little improvement. On April 29, Raushan, the 78-year-old widow of former military ruler HM Ershad, was admitted to the CMH after she fell ill, and she received treatment there for 24 days at that time. READ: Current constitution “contrary” to democratic practice: GM Quader She was elected MP from Mymenshigh-4 seat during the 11th parliamentary election. Raushan has been performing as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament for the second consecutive term. Jatiya Party will arrange doa mahfil and prayer sessions across the country on Friday seeking her quick recovery.

Stating that an unusual situation is prevailing in the country, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday said the reasons behind the failure of law enforcement agencies in controlling recent communal incidents must be unearthed. “A conspiracy is there to destroy the communal harmony of the country in a planned way. It’s necessary to investigate how the Quran was kept at the puja mandapa amid the vigilance of law enforcers,” he said. GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, came up with the remarks while speaking at a divisional representatives’ meeting of Jatiya Party’s Khunla unit at the party chairman’s Banani office. He said the Hindu community members will never desecrate the Quran to foil their puja festival while no Muslim can conspire to disgrace the Qur'an if s/he has the slightest faith in the religion. READ: Now people have ‘no interest’ in elections: GM Quader “Again, a vested quarter has made evil attempts to incite the violence spreading the news of demeaning the Holy Quran all over the country,” the Jatiya Party chief said. He said a speech of State Minister for Information Dr Md Murad Hassan not to accept Islam as the state religion of Bangladesh went viral at the same time. “The government will have to find out whether it (Murad’s speech) has any connection with this conspiracy.” GM Quader alleged that the state minister made derogatory remarks against Jatiya Party founder HM Ershad and the Army like an imprudent person. READ: Depoliticisation to diminish political parties: GM Quader He said it is necessary to take action against the state minister after the investigation. “It must be investigated as to why the state minister made provocative remarks in unusual circumstances.” GM Quader said any conspiracy aimed at creating communal chaos in the country is an unforgivable crime.