GM Quader, Chairman of the Jatiya Party (JaPa), stated that no one realized that students are so politically aware and they have proven that they understand politics better than politicians.
The fall of the Awami League was not due to any political party’s movement but rather due to the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement led by students and general people.
He mentioned: “We have always spoken against inequality, corruption, and misrule. There was a general belief that students did not want to get involved in politics.”
On Monday afternoon, at a meeting with the central committee of the National Student Society, Quader said: “The primary strength of students is unity, and their second strength is public trust. The public had faith in students that they were fighting for the country. Therefore, students must maintain their unity and stay away from power and greed.”
Quader further said: “From the beginning, we have supported the student’s demands of the movement. We have spoken in Parliament against the quota system. We have also expressed that the quota system in jobs is unconstitutional. We have always spoken out against the corruption, money laundering, and divisive actions of the Awami League government.”
“I have spoken against the corruption and misrule of the Awami League in Parliament in front of Sheikh Hasina. Even when there was no security or assurance of life, we did not hesitate to criticize the government. The Awami League tried to destroy our party and obstruct our political activities.”
“Without a party, politics cannot exist, and without politics, a party cannot exist. Politics for the people also requires the party to be sacrificed, and vice versa. The Awami League and BNP have conspired against our party, and these conspiracies are still ongoing.”
“The JaPa has always been with the people. That is why, even after 34 years, we are still in the political arena. No one can think of anything without the Jatiya Party. We do not want elections right now because we have seen many good elections in the past. We want a good government after a good election, one that will be accountable to the people and will not use the country as personal or party property,” he added.
Quader added: “For such a government, necessary reforms are needed. Therefore, we are willing to give the current government time. Good governments have mostly been autocratic after good elections.”
“However, unelected governments have often been more democratic. Unelected governments tend to give more importance to the people's opinions. Hence, we have no objection to giving time to the current unelected government for reforms. We want the current government to maintain law and order, control the price of goods, and ensure employment... we have no objection to waiting.”
He also said: “There are many calculations in politics. The Awami League is not active in the field, but they have a support base. They will play a role in the next election. Unfortunately, the condition created by the BNP’s leaders and activists, even before they come to power, is not liked by the general public.”
