Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad yesterday said some statements and comments made by some party leaders loyal to his wife hurt him.
“They [JaPa leaders] have challenged me and said: ‘Who is Ershad?’” the JaPa chief said while talking to a group of reporters at his Banani office.
About the January 5 general election, Ershad said he had accepted everything. “There is no time to raise a question about the election.
“As the BNP now remains inactive and the prime minister is unparalleled in power, she will arrange the next election after completing a five-year term.”
In reply to a query about the activities as special envoy to the prime minister, the JaPa chairman said: “If the premier thinks I am suitable, I will try my best to take necessary steps regarding the employment of Bangladeshis in Middle East countries.”
In reply to another question about the difference between his wife and him, he claimed that they had no differences. “If my opinion on any decision is taken, I will be much happy as I am still the chairman of the party.
“If my wife had told me that she wanted to choose someone as the deputy leader of the opposition in parliament, I would not have raised any objection, but she never called me.”
Ershad said without taking his opinion Rawshan sent a letter to the speaker requesting her to appoint Firoz Rashid as the deputy leader of the opposition. Later, he sent another letter to the speaker not to appoint him.
About a recent clash between the supporters of Ershad and Moshiur Rahman Ranga in Rangpur, the JaPa chief said: “Rangpur is my own area. I have more supporters than Ranga has there. No one can challenge me in Rangpur.”
Ershad said: “I want Jatiya Party to exist after my death.” Hinting at his nephew Asif Shahriar, he said, “I hope someone from Rangpur leads the party.”