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On the occasion of the sixth death anniversary of HM Ershad, leaders from four factions of the Jatiya Party, along with recently expelled leaders, came together at a memorial event in Dhaka. However, no leaders from GM Quader’s Jatiya Party attended the gathering.
The event, organized by an organization named ‘Pallibandhu Ershad Smriti Sangsad,’ was initiated by three senior leaders recently removed from GM Quader’s Jatiya Party: Anisul Islam Mahmud, ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, and Mujibul Haque Chunnu. The memorial was held on Monday afternoon at a convention center in Gulshan, Dhaka, and was presided over by Anisul Islam Mahmud. The chief guest was former minister and Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju. Leaders from Jatiya Party (Rowshan Ershad), Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), and Jatiya Party (Matin) also participated. The organizers stated that the event was part of a broader initiative to foster unity among the factions. In his speech, Anisul Islam Mahmud emphasized the need for restoring peace and order before holding elections. “We want elections as soon as possible, but not just any election. If it’s a repeat of past flawed elections, it will serve no purpose. Peace, order, and the rule of law must be established first,” he said. Referring to the July uprising, Anisul remarked, “Those who participated in the July movement thought they would change Bangladesh and realize a dream, but they couldn’t. What is the state of law and order today? The murder of Sohag (Lal Chand) was so brutal that even the reign of Ayyam-e-Jahiliyyah didn’t witness such cruelty.” He claimed that 1,400 people have been killed in the past year, including 124 due to political reasons or conflicts, questioning what change has been achieved. Anisul stressed the need for a united Jatiya Party to serve the country and its people during these turbulent times. “We must unite the Jatiya Party to work for the greater good of the nation,” he urged. Anwar Hossain Manju, Chairman of Jatiya Party (JP), clarified, “They say I broke the Jatiya Party, but I didn’t. The party expelled me. I led movements to free Ershad from prison. I have always spoken of unity. If the call for greater unity heard today at Ershad’s memorial can be realized, it will benefit the country and its people.” He added that while Ershad was labeled a dictator, the Awami League is now being called the same after 5 August. ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader urged, “Let us unite in the final phase of our lives to strengthen the Jatiya Party. Change will come again, and we will strive to transform the fate of the people.” Mujibul Haque Chunnu, recently sacked as Japa’s general secretary, apologized for past mistakes. “Over the past 45 years, we have made many errors, knowingly or unknowingly. We seek unconditional forgiveness from the people for those mistakes,” he said, expressing hope for a united Jatiya Party through a national conference. Addressing GM Quader, Kazi Firoz Rashid, executive chairman of Jatiya Party (Rowshan Ershad), said, “Those who mock the revolution, call it a joke, or use terms like ‘tokai’ have neither participated in nor witnessed a revolution. We fought for Bangladesh. You were nowhere, just waiting to see which side would win and grab the flag. You are an opportunist who took advantage after your brother’s death.” Other speakers included Sheikh Shahidul Islam, general secretary of Jatiya Party (JP), Zafar Ahmed Joy, general secretary of Jatiya Party (Matin), Didarul Alam Chowdhury, presidium member of Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), former MP Syed Abu Hossain Babla, Shah Mohammad Abu Zafar, chief advisor of Janata Party Bangladesh (JPB), Golam Sarwar Milon, executive chairman of JPB, former Japa MPs Nazma Akter and Ziaul Haque Mridha, and former Japa leaders Nurul Islam Milon, Liaquat Hossain Khoka, Sahidur Rahman Tepa, Mostafa Al Mahmud, Shafikul Islam Sentu, Zahirul Islam Zahir, and Jasim Uddin Bhuiyan.
