2024-09-11 06:32:08
“If the Awami League had not collapsed, our party would have dissolved. If Awami League had not collapsed, there would have been no party in Bangladesh, only Awami League would have existed. We have never been friends of Awami League, we have always been friends of the people.’
Jatiya Party (Japa) chairman GM Quader said these things in the chief guest’s speech at an exchange meeting with Jatiya Mahila Party leaders at the Jatiya Party (Japa) chairman’s office in Banani of the capital on Tuesday (September 10).
He said, we did not go to the 2014 elections. Some of our people were forced into elections. However, BNP participated in the 2014 Upazila Parishad elections. There was no marka, but BNP participated in upazila parishad elections upto 2 phases. In 2018, all parties including BNP participated in the elections, we were also in the elections.
GM Quader said, BNP has ideological similarity with Jatiya Party, but there is no similarity in character. Jatiya Party has always been blackmailed. Since 1990, the Jatiya Party has been a victim of torture and conspiracies. That conspiracy is still going on.
The Jatiya Party was forced into the election by Awami League, the chairman of the party claimed, and the Jatiya Party was seriously damaged. Did I go to the election to be a minister? I was a minister in 2008. Wanted to resign due to differences with the then Prime Minister. I never do politics for ministry. The Jatiya Party boycotted the 2014 elections. Out of 300 seats, 270 candidates including me were withdrawn. I did not go to the 2014 elections and I did not go to the parliament. Then Awami League wanted to give me a ministry, I did not agree. GM Quader said, we have not harmed the people, we have tried to benefit the people. When we decided not to go to the polls in 2014, the government made another group and arranged for them to be polled with plow marks. I didn’t believe it, so we boycotted 270 candidates in the 2014 elections.
The Jatiya Party wanted to boycott the 2024 elections, he said, claiming that we were forced to go to the polls, everyone knows that. December 17 was the last day for withdrawal of candidature. We wanted to boycott the election by holding a press conference. But, people from various forces and organizations surrounded our office. We were not allowed to boycott the election by holding a press conference. Our politics has suffered due to forced elections. We could not boycott the election as expected by the people.
GM questions who, many say, we have made Awami League a monster. Awami League would not be a monster without our support? If we support BNP, BNP would not be a monster? Awami League got a chance, it became a monster. We have not supported demonizing any party. If a team has become a monster, they have become monsters through their own fault. Can you say that a team will not be a monster if given a chance?
‘Those who are talking big now, how many people were able to speak during the Awami League period? If Awami League had asked you to speak the opposite of Awami League the next day, would you have said no? If Awami League was lifted, you would have said Joy Bangla. Many people have said Joy Bangla? We have spoken, we have spoken for the people. We were made an opposition party, we were able to criticize the government at will,’ added the Japa chairman.
He said, Awami League has fallen because of the election? Awami League has fallen because of their corruption and misrule. By creating discrimination, Awami League disturbed people by exploiting, humiliating and depriving them. Awami League did not fall for legitimacy in the election. Awami League has fallen because of Sheikh Hasina’s government. People went from being bored to such a state that they would not return even if they gave their lives. I have repeatedly said in Parliament that the people of the country can make any sacrifice against discrimination. The people of this country gave their lives against discrimination even during the Mughal, British and Pakistani eras. The war of liberation and independence was fought against discrimination.
“No political party is responsible for the downfall of Awami League. Many parties wanted to stop the election, did they succeed? Many parties wanted to come to the polls, but the government kept them away from the polls by filing various cases against them. Awami League did not fall because of elections, Awami League fell because of their corruption and misrule. Awami League has fallen in the students’ movement, this is the achievement of the students.
Presidium member Najma Akhtar spoke as a special guest in this discussion meeting. Mujibul Haque Chunnu. Party Presidium member and Additional Secretary General Mir Abdus Sabur Asud, Advocate Md. Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan, Monirul Islam Milan, Presidium member Masroor Mawla, Jasim Uddin Bhuiyan, Advisor Mehrunnessa Khan Hena Panni, Md. Khalilur Rahman Khalil, Engineer Mustafa Mohsin, Vice Chairman Sultan Ahmed Salim, Editorial Board Member Abu Jafar Md. Waliullah Chowdhury Masud, Masudur Rahman Masum, MA Razzak Khan, Jonaki Munsi, Mahila Party Dr. Selina Khan, Jasmine Noor Priyanka, Taslima Akhtar Runa, Sanya Amir, Farida Sikder, Mithila Rawaza, Josna Akhtar, Parul Begum, Roksana Parveen Rumi, Tanzina Ahmed, Safia Parveen, Shamima Sultana, Reema Begum, Rilu Begum, Sadia Parveen, Ferdowsi Begum , Shahinur Akhter, Ferdowsi Begum, Shanta Islam, Bithi Akhter, Raisa Mahim Kana.