Jatiya Party Chairman
GM Quader greets PM on her birthday
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her 75th birthday.
In a message, he hoped that the democratic and human rights situation in Bangladesh will improve further under her leadership.
Read: Politics to be at stake if ‘depoliticisation’ continues: GM Quader
The Jatiya Party chief also wished the Prime Minister success, good health and long life.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, assured that Jatiya Party will work together in all initiatives for the welfare of the country and its people.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will move forward to the desired goal, and the development activities in the country will be more dynamic,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chief also hoped that hunger, poverty and corruption will be removed from non-communal Bangladesh forever.
Read: Any plot to destroy communal harmony to fail: GM Quader
The 75th birthday of Prime Minister and Bangladesh Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, now in the USA, will be celebrated across the country on Tuesday.
Awami League and its affiliated organisations will mark the day through various programmes highlighting the life and achievements of Sheikh Hasina.
The eldest of the five children of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, the Prime Minister was born on September 28, 1947at Tungipara, Gopalganj.
Any plot to destroy communal harmony to fail: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday said those who are conspiring to destroy communal harmony in Bangladesh will never succeed.
“We’ve a tradition of communal harmony. We’re determined to maintain communal harmony, no matter what,” he said.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, came up with the remarks at a views-exchange meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Hindu Parishad at Jatiya Party chairman’s Banani office.
He said their party founder late HM Ershad had set an example in maintaining communal harmony during his rule.
Also read: JaPa not to compromise on HR issues: GM Quader
The Jatiya Party chief also said Ershad played a unique role in protecting the rights of people of all religions.
He also recalled that Ershad had declared the day of Janmashtami, a major festival of the Hindu community marking the birth of Lord Sri Krishna, a public holiday. ”He also provided security and financial assistance for various pujas and festivals (of Hindu community).”
GM Quader said the Hindu Welfare Trust, founded by Ershad, has now become an institution worth a hundred crore of taka.
He also said the Jatiya Party founder always kept allocation for the construction and renovation of temples.
During the meeting, the Bangladesh Hindu Parishad leader handed over the draft law on minority protection to the Jatiya Party chairman and greeted him with a bouquet.
Jatiya Party presidium members ATU Taj Rahman, Advocate Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan and office secretary MA Razzak Khan, among others, were present at the meeting.
Now people have ‘no interest’ in elections: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Wednesday said now people have become reluctant about elections as many opposition candidates have to quit polls race due to the influence of money and muscle power.
“An anti-election attitude has developed among people as they’ve lost interest in the country’s election system,” he said.
GM Quader made the remarks while exchanging views at Jatiya Party chairman’s Banani office with the party’s potential candidates of Manikganj to contest the upcoming Union Parishad polls.
The Jatiya Party chairman said the opposition candidates now hardly can ‘stand in the election field’ under the pressure of ruling party-backed ones. ”Many candidates are being forced to stay away from the election being unnerved amid the influence of money and muscle power.”
Also read: JaPa not to compromise on HR issues: GM Quader
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said those who will get nominations from Jatiya Party must stay in the election race till the end. “Those who cannot sustain in the election field after getting nominations, their place will not be there in Jatiya Party.”
He asked the Jatiya Party leaders and activists to play a proactive role in ensuring people’s voting right in the polls. “People like those who can fight till the end.”
The Jatiya Party chief also warned the party candidates that people hate those who quit the election race.He observed that Awami League almost remains missing in politics as it has been in power for a long time.
GM Quader also said the ruling party has been facing various problems due to intra-party conflicts while BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia cannot say anything after getting out of jail on bond. “In such a reality, Jatiya Party is in the field of politics with a bright future.”
Also read: Next election must be under neutral govt: Fakhrul
He said the future of the Awami League had become uncertain when it remained out of power for 21 years while BNP has now become demoralised as it has been out of power for more than a decade. “But Jatiya Party has been fighting in the field of politics remaining out of the state power for 31 long years as it does politics with the trust and love of people.”
The Jatiya Party chief claimed that people were happy during the rule of their party as it could ensure their rights and the security of their lives and property.
“The rule of law prevailed in the country during the rule of Jatiya Party. So, people want to see it in power in the days to come,” he viewed.
Bangladesh now 'friendless': Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen’s frustration over not getting Covid vaccines from different countries has manifested that Bangladesh has become 'friendless' in the world.
“The Foreign Minister expressed deep frustration over not getting the corona vaccines after visiting several countries. He told the media that the rich countries aren’t willing to give Bangladesh vaccines. If this is the case, Bangladesh has become friendless in the world,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chief made the remarks while speaking at a meeting of Jatiya Jubo Sanghati at Jugantar Bhaban in the city’s Baridhara area.
READ: GM Quader wants crackdown on illegal arms
He said though the Foreign Minister has said the status of the country has enhanced across the world, Bangladesh ranked 106th in the 2021 Henley Passport Index while its position was 96th in 1996.
“The dignity of the Prime Minister and her cabinet member may increase in the world. The dignity of the common people hasn’t improved at all, but it has declined. That’s why those who now go abroad with Bangladeshi passports have to face various kinds of harassment,” the Jatiya Party chairman observed.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said the country lacks good governance due to politicisation.
He said the country’s situation has turned so worse that now it is not possible to get a job even after becoming first in the examination without the affiliation with the ruling party.
READ: Waterways must be made safe: GM Quader
The Jatiya Party chief said the ruling party leaders are acquitted by court even after committing crimes as the laws are not enforced equally for all.
He said no one was above law during the rule of Jatiya Party founder HM Ershad. “So, people are expecting Jatiya Party as an alternative force to Awami League and BNP. They want Jatiya Party to return to power.”
GM Quader urged the party leaders and activists to strengthen the party by holding the councils of its all district units by December 31.
JaPa not to compromise on HR issues: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Wednesday said their party will not compromise when it comes to people’s basic human rights issues.
“The main politics of the Jatiya Party is to ensure good governance,” he said while speaking at a views-exchange meeting at Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office.
READ: GM Quader wants crackdown on illegal arms
The Jatiya Party chief said their party will continue to work for building a new Bangladesh as dreamt by its founder HM Ershad with the trust and love of people.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said it has been proved that people enjoyed better basic rights during the rule of Jatiya Party than that of Awami League and BNP. “Ordinary people are still saying that they were in a better situation during Ershad's rule.”
He said people want to see Jatiya Party in power once again.
Quader urged the Jatiya Party leaders and workers to work for making the party stronger at the grassroots level to pave the way for returning to power.
READ: Waterways must be made safe: GM Quader
Jatiya Party presidium members Shamim Haider Patwari , Advocate Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan, Maj (retd) Rana Mohammad Sohel, party chairman’s adviser Hena Khan Panni, party office secretary MA Razzak Khan and joint office secretary Mahmud Alam joined the meeting with its co-chairman Advocate Salma Islam in the chair.
Waterways must be made safe: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday urged the government to take effective steps to make waterways safe.
“The sad news of innumerable deaths in accidents on waterways every year cannot be accepted,” he said in a condolence message issued over the loss of lives in a trawler capsize in Brahmanbaria’s Laiska Beel.
The Jatiya Party chief said the number of waterway accidents is not falling. “The waterways must be made safe.”
Read: Govt losing trust with ministers’ ‘funny’ remarks: GM Quader
He called upon the government to unearth the reasons behind the trawler capsize and ensure exemplary punishment of those responsible for it through an investigation.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, demanded justified compensations for the families of the victims and proper treatment of those injured in the accident.
He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of huge lives in the incident.
The Jatiya Party chief also prayed for the salvation of the departed souls and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Read: Mass vaccination only solution to Covid crisis: GM Quader
At least 22 people died as a trawler sank after being hit by another sand-laden one in the Laiska Beel on Friday evening.
Police arrested three people, including the driver of the trawler that hit the ill-fated one, from Char Islampur in Bijoynagar upazila of the district.
Mass vaccination only solution to Covid crisis: GM Quader
Urging the government to gear up the mass vaccination drive to return to normalcy, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Friday said lockdown is not a solution to the current Covid crisis in Bangladesh.
“Lockdown and curfew are not a solution to the current (Covid) situation in our country. The mass vaccination drive needs to be strengthened further …. the public life will be normal only with that,” he said in a statement.
The Jatiya Party chief called upon the government to set up field hospitals with the required number of doctors and health workers in the virus-hit areas to ensure proper treatment of people. “It’ll help protect people’s lives and ease their sufferings.”
Also read: GM Quader demands probe into vaccine, Covid test costs
He said a lockdown is in force now in the country, but it is not possible to keep people at home. "Lockdown won’t be successful in Bangladesh given our reality.”
Quoting the findings of different studies, Quader said around 2.5 crore people of the country have come down below the poverty line afresh in the one year of corona pandemic alongside previous 3.5 poor people.
“Most of the poor people don’t have food at home and money in their pockets to buy medicines and baby food. So, it’s not possible to keep such people at home by enforcing a lockdown,” he observed.
Also read: Much of health sector allocation being looted: GM Quader
The Jatiya Party chairman said the assistance being provided by the government is too inadequate while a large part of it is not reaching the real poor. “So, in the current situation of our country, any lockdown and curfew can’t give any solution to the crisis.”
Amid the lockdown, he said, around 15,000 people are being infected daily with the coronavirus and over 200 deaths are being reported.
GM Quader said the infections and mortality are on the rise and there is no visible sign of decline in the virus infection. “So, the Covid situation is not improving with the lockdown, but it has increased the misery of the working people several times. Every day, the number of poor people is rising.”
Much of health sector allocation being looted: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Wednesday alleged that the country’s medical system is not improving as expected since a big part of the budgetary allocation made for the health sector is being plundered.
“The Covid situation is getting worse day by day. The lack of medicines and necessary manpower, including doctors and nurses, has become acute in hospitals. Many district- and upazila-level hospitals don’t have (central) oxygen systems, contributing to the gradual rise in fatality rate,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chief said, “The country is facing such a terrible corona situation due to the government’s negligence. When many countries in the world spend 5 to 6 percent of their GDP on medical care, we spend only one percent. But a huge portion of the allocation in the health sector is being looted. So, our medical system is not improving.”
He made the remarks while inaugurating a food distribution programme at Jatiya Party’s Kakrail office on the eve of party founder HM Ershad’s second death anniversary.
Jatiya Party Dhaka south city unit arranged the programme to distribute food among 10,000 needy people.
READ: Lack of vaccines making Covid situation worse: GM Quader
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said their party has long been talking about improving the health care system in the country. “We need to improve our medical system instead of enforcing a lockdown to tackle the Covid situation.”
He said the government must provide each of the genuine poor families with at least Tk 10,000 per month during the Covid period without considering their political identities. “Had this been, then the needy people wouldn’t have had to come out of homes and thus the lockdown would have been effective.”
The Jatiya Party chairman said the government can give good support to the unemployed people by spending only one percent of the GDP. “We had repeatedly urged the government to ensure food and necessary medicines for the poor before enforcing the lockdown.”
He demanded the government introduce a palli (rural) rationing system for the extremely poor people.
Quader said the government is just making assurances that the necessary vaccines will be collected. “But they can't say when it’ll come, how it’ll come, or from where it’ll come. That’s why there's a frustration among people about corona vaccines.”
He said when the entire world is tackling corona with vaccines, Bangladesh is trying to contain it with a lockdown. “It can never be a logical move.”
The Jatiya Party chief alleged that people are not getting proper treatment at public hospitals. “Corona patients from districts and upazilas are crowding divisional cities and the capital. As beds are not available at public hospitals, patients are being forced to receive treatment at private hospitals spending huge money. Those who don’t have money are losing their loved ones, including parents without treatment. We never wanted such a horrible situation in the country.”
READ: GM Quader greets PM ahead of Eid ul Azha
Jatiya Party Senior Co-Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Secretary General Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, and Co-Chairmen Syed Abu Hossain Babla MP and Mujibul Haque Chunnu MP, among others, spoke at the programme.
Free flow of information vital for democracy: GM Quader
Wondering how the Civil Surgeon’s office in Dhaka could issue a directive asking all concerned not to share information of Covid patients with the media, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday said such an instruction is “contrary to democracy and good governance”.
In a statement, he also said the directive that says the media workers will not get information from any hospital in Dhaka district, except from the civil surgeon’s office, during the pandemic is incompatible with the democratic system. “Free flow of information is an essential precondition to the establishment of democracy and good governance.”
Read: Covid situation taking a terrible turn: GM Quader
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, also said. “We’re surprised to see that the directive issued by the Civil Surgeon of Dhaka has not been withdrawn yet though 24 hours have passed by.”
He said the nation depends on the media for getting authentic information during the pandemic while the government, administration, political parties, volunteers and civil society come forward in every difficult time after seeing the media reports.
Besides, the Jatiya Party chief said, there is an apprehension of increasing irregularities and corruption when accurate information are not found in the media.
He feared that rumours and conspiracies will also spread in the absence of free flow of information.
GM Quader said it is important to find out as to why the Dhaka Civil Surgeon wanted to disrupt the normal activities of the media when the Coronavirus infection has been showing an uptrend.
Read: Corruption in health sector widespread: GM Quader
He also said hiding information from the media during such a catastrophic period is not a normal matter. “So, the instruction for not providing information by the Dhaka District Civil Surgeon's office must be withdrawn immediately.”
According to media reports, the office of Dhaka’s Civil Surgeon on Thursday asked doctors working at different hospitals not to comment on or exchange any information about healthcare activities or the disease and patients with the media amid the pandemic.
The Civil Surgeon also urged the media to refrain from taking photos and video footage, or interviewing Covid-19 patients in hospitals.
Budget imaginary, unrealistic: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman on Thursday termed the proposed budget for 2021-22 FY imaginary and unrealistic, and said the government will not be able to implement it.
“We can assume that this fictitious and impractical budget can’t be implemented,” he told reporters after coming out of parliament’s budget session.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said there is a huge deficit in the proposed budget and the system that has been mentioned to fill the deficit is not realistic. “This budget needs to be rearranged extensively.”
He thinks the allocation for the health sector has been increased slightly while that for the social safety net is much less in compression with the size of the total budget.
GM Quader also said the allocation for the disaster management sector is not satisfactory.
He said the finance minister has prepared the budget based on his perceptions without considering the reality. “This budget has to be changed rigorously to give it a real shape.”
The Jatiya Party chief said though the minister has proposed increasing the expenditure in the budget but he has failed to outline how the revenue will be collected.
“As per the target of last year's budget, even 60 percent of the revenue couldn’t be collected in 10 months. I don't know how much they’ll be able to collect in the next two months,” he said.
He said there is no clear guideline in the budget about creating jobs and providing financial assistance for those who have become unemployed and gone below the poverty line during the corona period.
GM Quader said common people had an expectation that a large allocation will be given for the health sector, but it did not happen with the routine increase amid the corona crisis.