HM Ershad was re-elected unanimously chairman of Jatiya Party and ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader its secretary general at the party’s seventh national council yesterday.
Addressing the council at Engineers’ Institute, Ershad said he had stood aside from the JP chairman’s position in the post-1/11 years following the “minus-two” and, subsequently, “minus-three” formulas.
He expressed the desire to remain the party chairman until death.
“From today there is no need for an acting chairman and I want to be the chairman of the party until death,” said Ershad who presided over the council.
Ershad inaugurated the council by hoisting the national and party flags and releasing balloons and pigeons. Thousands of councillors and delegates of the party’s district units from across the country attended the council.
Terming the caretaker government system a disgrace for politicians, Ershad said the interim takeover by a non-political administration must be ended.
The JP chief emphasised strengthening of the Election Commission.
He also called upon the government to introduce provincial government system in the country and urged the prime minister to reform the electoral system so that people could vote for the party instead of individuals.
Ershad said the JP played a vital role in bringing the landslide victory for the Awami League-led grand alliance in the ninth parliamentary elections.
He said JP proved in the last election that it is no longer a regional party based only in Rangpur as their candidates won in many other constituencies.
He called upon the government to discuss the Tipaimukh dam issue with the Indian government. He said he asked the prime minister in parliament to visit India to discuss the issue.
“We do not want any conflict regarding water-sharing and want solutions to the issue through discussion,” Ershad said.
India is a friendly country, so the Indian government should not do anything that might affect Bangladesh, he said.
Ershad praised the last caretaker government for preparing a fair voter list and giving scopes to all parties to take part in the December 29 parliamentary elections.
The council adopted a condolence motion proposed by JP Presidium member Delwar Hossain Khan to pay tributes to the deceased party leaders and workers.
JP leader Aminul Islam Mahmud, Presidium members Kazi Zafor Ahmed, Rawshan Ershad, GM Quader and Ziauddin Bablu also spoke on the occasion.
Since its inception in 1986, Jatiya Party has held six councils, the last in 2005.
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