Jatiya Party (JaPa) Chairman GM Quader remarked that during Sheikh Hasina's government, which ousted amid student protests, the party had to engage in politics under challenging circumstances.
He spoke at a press conference at Banani office of JaPa on Monday.
GM Quader said: “While it's true that some of us participated in the elections, it is equally true that we did not all engage in the electoral process."
The JaPa leader noted: "One part of us participated in the elections, while another part did not, so both statements are true in our case. Additionally, in 2018, everyone took part in the elections, meaning the Jatiya Party alone did not grant legitimacy to the Awami League."
He stated: “Sheikh Hasina instilled fear and despair in people's minds, forcing us to engage in politics from that desperate situation.”
He criticized the Awami League government for bankrupting the country due to debt.
Claiming the quota reform movement is logical, JaPa Chairman stated that Hussain Muhammad Ershad supported it in 2018. He also emphasized that in 2024, JaPa had instructed its leaders and activists to fully support the students.
He said that the state should stand by the families of the martyrs. He urged the state to ensure necessary treatment of the injured. It is the government's responsibility to rehabilitate those injured or crippled in the movement.
Addressing the interim government, JaPa Chairman stated that it is their decision whether to engage in discussions. However, he expressed concern over false accusations being made against the party. He noted that this is not a coordinating government, but rather an attempt to turn a friend into an enemy.
GM Quader emphasized that it is not accurate to say that JaPa participated in the 2024 elections out of a desire for ministerial positions. He also stated that the current government is not involved in the harassment case.
At that time, the chairman of Jatiya Party said that his party is not in favour of banning Awami League.
GM Quader further added that Jatiya Party was not in favour of banning Jamaat during Awami League. So JaPa does not want to ban Awami League.
