Ershad- end of an era
Photo: Collected
Dhaka: The long life of HM Ershad aged 89 years ended on Sunday (July 14) at CMCH, Dhaka after suffering for quite a long period. During this long period he was in absolute power for a decade and out of power for three decades. However he was totally out of power it will be not proper to say rather he was not in the supreme of seat of power. Though he was not in power he was very much present in the arena power house.
Rise and fall is the scenario of nature. Those who do politics their life is full of rise and fall game. There is win and defeat in this game. He, who wins every thing like –winners take all. Even history speaks in the language of victorious commander.
At the moment it is difficult to determine the place of Ershad and Jatiya party (JP) in Bangladesh’s politics. Immediate after Ershad’s downfall the politics of Bangladesh moved towards a polarization of two parties. In every democratic world the power moves from one hand to another hand often.
After ’90 similar thing happened in our country. But the problem is that in our country the politics could not grow up in true democratic culture. Though our democratic culture is now of 40 years of age but in reality it is in the infant stage. For this prematurity of our politics Ershad and his JP played a negative role so that none of two could grow up in natural environment. When any party rules a country, it creates some base and popularity. Unfortunately our two parties wanted to cash on the base of JP while in power.
After liberation our politics could not flourish as per hopes and aspiration of the people. The amendments to the constitution could not help to bloom according to the desired way. Next the military uniform entered the political arena in a brutal way. Gifted lucky generals are Ziaur Rahman and next HM Ershad.
On May 30 of 1981 a group of disgruntled army personnel attacked the Chattogram circuit house where the then President Ziaur Rahman had been staying. Zia was killed in that putsch. Ershad was the army chief then. The then Vice –President Justice Abdus Sattar was under treatment at CMH, Dhaka. When Zia was killed then Major General Manjur commanding officer of 24th Infantry division, few army officers under him led the operation. It was publicized at that time Manjur was the key man behind Zia’s killing. Later on General Manjur was also killed. But the fact behind these incidents is still to be revealed. However a case was pending in the court accusing Ershad for murdering General Manjur. The date of this case was shifted time and again seeking further enquiry by the prosecution. Though all the witnesses were examined but the court did not deliver verdict. The case was filed by the brother of General Manjur.
A day will come when politics, judiciary and law will move according to its own pace.
However the way Ershad took over power in a bloodless coup is a very shameful incident for the country, nation and democracy. On March 24 of 1982 Ershad promulgated Martial Law in the country removing Justice Sattar and dissolved the parliament on that day. On October 10 of 1983 he declared himself as the President of the republic by driving out Justice AHM Ahasnuddin Chowdhuryappointed by him. On March 21 of 1985 he gave legality of his power through Yes –No votes. On October 15, 1986 he further consolidated his legality as President through presidential election and a kangaroo style parliament election. On November 10 of that year the Martial Law was withdrawn. Meanwhile he had floated a new party of his own under the style of Jatiya Party(JP) taking the opportunists from all big and small parties.
The military rulers always try to gain from the quarreling situation prevailed among the existing political parties. Ersahd followed the same suit. When he understood that he had reached a position to win the election, he declared election. But all major parties including Awami League, BNP, Jamaat boycotted it. Ershad swept the poll by bagging 251 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad. This parliament had no opposition in true sense.
History repeats itself. In the 4th parliament Ershad gave birth to a domestic opposition party led by ASM Abdur Rob. It is the cruel reality of destiny Ershad played the similar role of domestic opposition party in 9th, 10th and 11th parliament. He was a part of the ruling government as adviser, ministers as opposition party unknown to history.
After killing of Zia many questioned that will BNP survive? It is Awami League who has successfully kept Bangabandhu alive. Now again that question of BNP has come up whether JP can keep Ershad as a legend, as the founder of that politics which Ersahd had initiated - Bangalee nationalism mixed with Islamic ideology. In true sense there is little difference between the politics of BNP and JP except in case of foreign policy. It might be that in coming days’ politics of Ershad will be discussed not much but the reality of JP will remain alive for long time.
