Jatiya Party (JaPa) Chairman GM Quader has strongly condemned the arson attack on the party's central office, describing it as an affront to democracy.
Quader made this statement at an emergency press conference on Friday.
During the briefing, he levelled serious accusations against the ousted Sheikh Hasina and her party, the Awami League (AL), alleging that AL blackmailed JaPa and that the party joined the electoral process under duress, rather than voluntarily.
He further claimed that other political parties that participated in the election were similarly coerced by Sheikh Hasina.
Commenting on recent events, GM Quader said: “We have not committed any crime. We are being forced into wrongdoing. We do not know why this is happening.”
Quader also said: “The Jatiya Party is a national political party. Despite attempts to bury us, we have risen from the grave. No one can destroy us.”
He added: “Since we practise politics of coexistence, we do not engage in land grabbing or politics of terror, nor do we oppress or politicize people.”
The JaPa chairman asserted: “We have provided good governance, development, reforms, and democratic rights. The people remember that.”
Quader remarked that a conspiracy to destroy the Jatiya Party has been underway since 1990. Although this was not initially taken seriously after the mass uprising on August 5, he now believes the conspiracy continues, especially with the arrival of an interim government.
Quader continued: “We are being called allies of the Awami League. But how can that be justified? In 2008, we formed a grand alliance with them in the ninth parliament, but we were not complicit in all of Sheikh Hasina’s wrongdoings. That has been proven.”
He noted: “We have repeatedly said that we boycotted the 2014 elections. Ershad (Quader’s late older brother who was the previous JaPa chairman and a former military dictator) was forcibly admitted to CMH, and divisions were created within the party to allow a small faction to participate in the elections.”
He questioned: “How can the BNP claim legitimacy when they contested local elections under the same government and Election Commission they rejected in the national elections?”
“All parties participated in the 2018 elections. We did not want to participate in 2024, but we have been forced to. Many are aware of this,” he added.
Quader questioned: “Is there anywhere in the world where participating in elections is considered a crime?”
He continued: “I am in politics and have a party. We can form alliances and decide when to participate or not in elections. What is the crime in that?
“When I don’t want to participate in elections, I am forced to. When I do, I receive threats of violence against me and my family.”
He also expressed concerns for the safety of his family members.
Quader expressed disappointment about the political climate, saying: “What kind of politics have we entered into? I will engage with my party, which will decide our alliances and election participation. There’s coercion from both sides; it’s not just Sheikh Hasina exerting pressure; her influence continues.”
He reflected on JaPa's role in student movements, questioning whether their efforts truly benefit the people. “What I see now is very unfortunate. The nation is divided, as if a few have taken control. They are splitting the country into sacred and profane groups, deciding who is guilty or innocent, much like Hasina did.”
GM Quader expressed frustration regarding the interim government’s chief advisor, Dr Muhammad Yunus, whom he regards as a respected figure and national guardian.
He noted that a close associate of the chief advisor has made accusations against JaPa, and Dr Yunus’s silence is interpreted as tacit approval. Quader called this situation very unfortunate for the party.
Quader appealed: “I urge the chief advisor to see us as equals, as we are all your children. Everyone has faults; if mistakes occur, judge and punish, but also embrace us again.”
At the press conference, Quader also said that he has informed both domestic and international media, including outlets in Europe and America, about his party's situation.
JaPa Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu and other senior party members attended the press conference.
