Ershad wants Hamid to initiate Hasina-Khaleda talks

Jatiya Party Chairman Hussein Muhammad Ershad believes President-elect Abdul Hamid will be able to host a dialogue between the chiefs of the Awami League and BNP to break the political deadlock.

He says has no issues with Hamid becoming the President, but the chief of the key ally of the 14-Party Alliance is unhappy that his party was not consulted before the presidential candidate was picked.

Hamid was elected uncontested the 20th President on Monday, raising hopes that he will move to resolve the long-drawn political crisis. He will be sworn in at 7:30pm on Wednesday at the Bangabhaban.

Ershad, the former military strongman, welcomed the new President-elect at a function of his party on Monday.

He said that Hamid discharged his duties neutrally when he was the Speaker of Parliament and hoped that as President, he would again play an unbiased role to further democracy.

“I also hope that the new President will be able to make the two leaders sit across the table for talks to overcome the nation’s crisis,” he said.

Earlier this month, Ershad had written to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia urging them to sit together to find out a way to resolve the political impasse.

But he got no positive feedback from any of the leaders.

“I’ve tried to get the two leaders to sit together. They had joined their hands once to throw me out. Now it’s the time they reach an understanding to restore democracy.”

Ershad expressed displeasure since the Awami League did not discuss with his party about nominating Hamid.

“You elected the President, but didn’t ask me for once. I may have my opinions. You neglected me in this manner!”

Ershad criticised the BNP for calling frequent shutdowns.

“A government cannot be brought down through lockdown, instead it causes public sufferings. It causes damages to trade, commerce and economy.”

“Shutdown had been observed for 374 days during my regime. Had the strikes not been called, I would’ve turned Bangladesh into an advanced developing country like Malaysia.”