Bangladesh in state of crisis, says GM Quader

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader has said the country is in a state of crisis, report agencies.

GM Quader came up with the remarks while speaking at a press conference at the party chairman's office in capital's Banani on Friday.

Jatiya Party arranged the press conference to react to the Thursday's attack on the Jatiya Party central office in Kakrail.

He affirmed that his party will continue its protests and scheduled activities despite the recent attack.

"We are ready to sacrifice, and we'll see how far they'll go to stop us," Quader said. He confirmed that a previously scheduled rally would go ahead as planned tomorrow (Saturday), despite the violent incident.

Quader expressed frustration over what he perceived as 'divisive tactics'. "Allah is protecting us; we cannot rely on anyone else," he said.

"This division is identical to what was imposed by Sheikh Hasina earlier. Now, numerous individuals face false charges, stifling any opposition," the JP Chairman said.

Referring to the student activists involved in the anti-discrimination movement, Quader remarked, "They believe only their perspective is valid, dismissing all others. They even disrupt judicial proceedings. If someone errs, there are ways to address it, but destruction is not the solution."

Quader reiterated Jatiya Party's longstanding commitment to democracy and its principles. "We don't stand for one-day democracy; we stand for lasting democracy. Our vision is a government 'of the people, by the people, for the people.' We have always supported the people and will continue to do so," he said.

He further reflected on former Jatiya Party leader Hussein Muhammad Ershad's legacy. "The people were always with Ershad. Those who say he was removed by a popular movement are mistaken; he stepped down by choice. Since 1991, conspiracies have plagued Ershad and our party."

Commenting on their relationship with the ousted Awami League, Quader rejected the label of being an 'ally', highlighting Jatiya Party's critiques of Awami League's governance and corruption over the years. "People say we're aligned with the Awami League, but we've always opposed their policies that go against public interest," he argued.

"We believe in political coexistence and want the country to progress through dialogue and consensus. We have never harboured enmity against any party. We have always tried to foster unity and peaceful relations with all political parties," Quader said.