No democracy in country

Former military dictator HM Ershad yesterday said there was no democracy in the country now.

"Democracy is now dead here; it is now only in the constitution, not in practice. A practice of partisanship and grabbing has been continuing in the country," he said.

The Jatiya Party chairman, also special envoy to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, made the comments at a party conference in Khulna.

He said the media could not publish facts because of pressure from the government. Ershad criticised the Awami League for "harassing" him and claimed that AL came to power in 1996 after 21 years with JP's support.

Referring to BNP chief Khaleda Zia's comments in 2007 that Ershad would be in and out of jail like a dead man, he said, "But this is unfortunate that Khaleda has to go to jail."