Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad yesterday said his wife Rawshan Ershad, also the leader of the opposition in 10th parliament, would always be acting as his guiding light.
“When I was in custody, Rawshan took the responsibility of the party as the guiding light. She will act as my guiding light until the end of my life,” said Ershad, who is also a special envoy to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, claiming that there was no conflict between him and Rawshan.
The former military ruler said these while exchanging views with local journalists at his “Palli Nibash” residence in Darshana area during the first day of four-day visit to Rangpur.
Rawshan, who is JaPa’s senior Presidium member, last week said she would quit politics.
“JaPa had to participate in the [January 5] parliamentary election for a special reason. And she has been playing a responsible role as the opposition leader,” the party chairman said.
Responding to journalists’ queries, Ershad said: “The present government has already consolidated its position firmly. It will remain in power for the next five years. No one and no movement will be able to unseat it.”
In reply to another question on the issue of the first president of the state, Ershad said he had no idea whether the BNP would be benefited from claiming its founder Ziaur Rahman as the country’s first president.
“I do not want to argue, but we have to accept the historical facts,” he added.
BSS adds: Expressing grave concern over unilateral withdrawal of the Teesta River water in the upper catchment by India, he said the irrigation activities at the Teesta Barrage Project had been on the verge of closure.
“The Teesta has dried up now and water flow is reduced to below 500 cusecs. The farmers are at a loss and frustrated as their boro fields are being burnt for the lack of water and the common people are crossing the river walking,” Ershad said.
He urged the Indian government and Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee not to stop Teesta water flow and release its water at the earliest.