Withdrawal from grand alliance to be on time, says Ershad
Strongly criticising the Awami League-led grand-alliance government, Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad yesterday said he would announce his withdrawal from the alliance on time before the next general elections.
“We joined the alliance with a lot of hope. But we got nothing and you (people) were given violence and repression,” he said.
Ershad was addressing a rally at Teesta barrage helipad grounds in Nilphamari on the concluding day of JP's long march towards Teesta barrage launched on Tuesday.
Responding to demands by some party leaders for the withdrawal announcement, he said, “I am a soldier. So, I know the best time for attack. Please wait and I will announce it on time.”
JP is determined to win back the six constituencies of Rangpur it lost in the last parliamentary polls for joining the grand alliance, said Ershad.
On the Teesta water sharing deal with India, he urged the countrymen to raise the scale of demonstrations so that the government signs the deal and secures the just share of water from the Teesta river.
Farmers of the country's northern region are passing their days in hardship due to the lack of water as Bangladesh's part of Teesta river has turned into a desert, he added.
“After the barrage's construction in 1990, a number of governments came to power in the last 22 years. But all of them failed to sign the Teesta deal as they did not pay much heed to the prime problem of the northern region.
“The Teesta deal will surely be signed if Jatiya Party is voted to power,” he said.
Both the AL and BNP are adamant in coming to power to establish a regime of terrorism, extortion, politicisation and corruption everywhere instead of protecting national interest, he said.
“People do not want to see the game of magical chair for assuming state power between those two parties. Now they want to see a change in power and we are the only ones who will be able to bring the change,” said Ershad.
Reiterating his previous stance to contest individually in the next general polls, he said, “There is no power in the world to shift me from this decision.”
On enclave dwellers, Ershad demanded immediate implementation of the protocol signed during the Indian prime minister's last visit to Bangladesh and bring an end to their problems.
Before concluding his speech, Ershad sought votes in JP's favour. “Just give me another chance to change your fate and establish a corruption-free and prosperous Bangladesh.”
JP Presidium Members Kazi Zafar Ahmed, Rawshan Ershad, Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud and Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader also addressed the rally.
Ershad began journeying towards Teesta barrage around 11:45am from Rangpur Zila School yesterday. On the way, hundreds of party leaders and activists lined the road, greeting Ershad.
On Tuesday, he addressed around 20 street rallies while moving from Dhaka to Rangpur.
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