What will happen to the National Party? 'I did not surrender' - Ershad

The Dhaka Times Desk The uncertainty about Ershad is still not over. He sometimes asks Roshan to work in coordination while sitting in the hospital. Never again say I have not surrendered, do not take an oath. Which is actually correct?

Ershad was arrested by RAB on Thursday. Then RAB-1 said that Ershad was ill and was admitted to CMH. Since then, various kinds of talk have been going on for the past few days. That same night Jatiya Party Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawladar also told reporters that Ershad is ill - he has not been arrested. But after this, many scandals started. Events are happening one after the other. Ershad's personal aide, Bobby Hajjaz, has told the media several times that Ershad has been detained - he is not sick. Such things are flying in the air. But the real facts are still not clear.

Former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, who is staying at CMH, told the media yesterday, 'What country am I in! I will not go to the elections, it is my democratic right. I have also told why I will not go to the election. Fraudulent and one-sided elections will not benefit the country. I withdrew my candidature. I instructed the party leaders and workers. They withdrew their candidature. The Election Commission said, it cannot be withdrawn. I even wrote a letter withdrawing my own candidature. That too will not be acceptable. Candidature will not be withdrawn. They did not say how to say it. How will this commission deliver an acceptable election? They failed the preliminary examination. No commission could set such a record in the past.'

On Sunday morning, Ershad also said, 'What else can I say about myself? I am a healthy person, I have been made sick. Attempts are being made to break the party by holding me back. No matter how hard they try, it will be of no avail. Party leaders are with me. No matter how much temptation and intimidation is shown, the activists will ignore it. Countrymen are watching. People are not stupid. What is my crime, it is my decision not to go to the polls. Why would the government impose a decision, make me an MP by force, the government does not understand that none of their tactics will work - the ground beneath their feet has shifted. They are now depopulated.'

Meanwhile, Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Gauhar Rizvi went to CMH to meet Jatiya Party Chairman Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Went there yesterday around 5:30 pm. At this time he inquired about Ershad. Former President Ershad also spoke to them.

There is no end to speculations about Ershad. The Election Commission did not cancel the nominations of Ershad and his brother GM Quader. On the other hand, Jatiya Party including Roshan won 18 seats uncontested. In such a situation, the future of Ershad's Jatiya Party is not understood at all. Time will tell what will happen to Ershad and his Jatiya Party.

It is to be noted that Ershad was arrested by RAB from his house in Baridhara at 12 o'clock on Thursday night and taken to CMHA. He has remained there ever since. Ershad himself claimed that he was detained.