Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad has said in parliament that his wife Raushan Ershad, leader of the opposition in Jatiya Sangsad, does not have the jurisdiction to seek apology for his comments.
The former military dictator yesterday also asked the parliament speaker to expunge that part of Raushan’s recent speech in which she sought the apology.
In his speech during a budget discussion on June 29, Ershad said that the prime minister, deputy leader of the house, speaker, and opposition leader, who are all women, are “showpieces.”
No sooner had he made the comment, other lawmakers, especially the female ones, loudly protested and Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury expunged that part of Ershad’s speech from the day’s proceedings.
A few minutes later, Ershad’s wife Raushan, while speaking on the budget, apologised on behalf of her husband.
Yesterday, Ershad also questioned the necessity of expunging that part of his speech when he had already withdrawn his statement on women.
Ershad, who is a special envoy to the prime minister, also said: “I was deeply shocked to see my withdrawn words being expunged. I have never hurled bitter words at anyone in parliament.”
Yesterday, Ershad said that gender disparity in parliament could be removed by giving equal allocation to the female lawmakers from the reserved seats.
“Charity begins at home,” he said.