Ershad in great spirits

What does a military general usually discuss with his colleagues! Surely, war.

What does a politician usually discuss with his sidekicks! Without doubt, politics.

What does Ershad, who is both a former general and a politician now, talk about when with his followers!

The answer is poetry, specially when it is Bangla New Year.

On Monday, Ershad went about reminding his party men of his 'lifted spirits' as he recited his poems at a community centre in Gulshan.

"The whole country is in great spirits as it is Pahela Baishakh. My spirits are also high," said the former military dictator.

But then out came the politician in him, as he sought to take credit for initiating the Bangla New Year celebrations when he ran the country in the 1980s.

"There was no government holiday on Pahela Baishakh, until I declared it in 1987. None did it before me."

Ershad welcomed the High Court decision making it mandatory to use Bangla in billboards, but again claimed he started it all.

"I was the one who made it mandatory to use Bangla in signboards. Now I welcome the High Court's order," said Ershad.

Ershad told his partymen that he was determined to revamp the Jatiya Party organisation in the New Year.

"We want change for peace."

Clad with a colourful maroon Panjabi and an off-white Pyjama, Ershad finished with a poem of his "Pahela Baishakh and I".