Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has advised Ershad to reorganize Jatiyo Party (JP) taking Rowshan Ershad into confidence.
On the other hand, Ershad has requested PM not to keep the Manzur murder case hanging for an indefinite period, a number of top leaders of JP have confirmed the matter.
This was discussed in a meeting held on Tuesday evening in the office of the leader of the house of the Jatiyo Sangsad building. The meeting was held exclusively between the two leaders.
During parley no one was allowed to enter the room. Top secrecy was maintained about the exclusive meeting. The meeting, starting at 6:30pm in the evening, ended at 7:25pm.
In the meeting Sheikh Hasina requested Ershad to remain with the government in the development process of the country.
Moreover, she advised Ershad to tour the country to make the JP stronger at the grass-root level.
Whenever she goes abroad she will take him with her, Ershad was told. Ershad also agreed to that.
In the meeting, Ershad had drawn the attention of Hasina alleging about the frequent changes of the judges of the Manzur murder case as well as for its lingering. Hasina has assured that she would look into the matter.
The Prime Minister expressed her desire to see the JP as a strong opposition party and also sought cooperation so that the fundamentalists cannot grow up.
In the meeting Ershad criticized the role of Rowshan regarding JP. He informed that he wants that the JP supporters must be with him and that will be real Jatiyo Party.
The Prime Minister also informed him that as the leader of JP, she likes Ershad.
JP presidium member professor Delwar Hossain Khan though admitted about the parley, but avoided to disclose the subject of the exclusive meeting.
A source of JP informed that the role of Rowshan has created agony in Ershad. Because Rowshan is not paying heed to Ershad.
The situation developed after the election over selection of the leader of the opposition.
Though initially he wanted to make Rowshan leader of the opposition but later on he opposed.
This led to the failure of the mission of Ershad. Next there was a tug of war over joining the cabinet.
Ershad did not want to join the cabinet. But three ministers were inducted in the cabinet at the will of Rowshan.
The ongoing tug of war was further ignited by Ershad himself.
Suddenly he alone made the list of the women MP of JP. Again Rowshan also prepared another list. Though none of the lists was finally published.
The pro-Rowshan faction is sure that the most of Ershad prepared list are not getting to be enlisted.
Meanwhile only four MPs and leaders of 20 districts out of 74 organizational districts attended the view exchange meeting in Dhaka convened by Ershad on last February 12.
Ershad in sorrow told that though 30 MPs were elected with ‘Plough’ symbol in the election but they did not attend the meeting of ‘Plough’. Are those 30 MPs mean Jatiyo Party!
Asking those MPs Ershad warned that you come back otherwise you all will be thrown into dustbins.
Ershad told in that meeting that JP is in crisis now. But not in grave crisis. JP is accustomed to go forward in crisis. Next in future JP will form government alone.
Ershad developed strained relations with Awami League when on last December 3 he announced to boycott the election. Next on December 12 he was forced to be admitted in the CMH. He stayed there for one month.
Afterwards though there was a drama over his taking oath as MP, but he took oath last. He was appointed special envoy to the Prime Minister.
In reply Ershad expressed thanks and gratitude to Sheikh Hasina verbally followed by in writing and also disclosed it to press.
But during this time, he had no direct talks with Sheikh Hasina.
The last meeting was held between them on October 19 of last year. On that day Ershad participated in the dinner at Ganobhavan.
BDST: 1323 HRS, FEB 14, 2014
