In an exclusive interview with TIMES of Bangladesh, Jatiya Party Chairman Ghulam Muhammad Quader compares the interim government to the deposed Awami League and accuses it of perpetuating inequality, partisanship, and mob violence. He warns that upcoming parliamentary polls could be farcical due to keeping a large number of people out of the vote. “If the elections are eventually held,” he said, “Jamaat will win, but the new government will not sustain.”
Quader highlights the rising influence of Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir, attributing their electoral success to the failures of mainstream parties.
On recent attacks on his party office, Quader blames “mobocracy” aimed at suppressing dissent. He also rejects claims of ties with the Awami League, despite JaPa’s reputation as the “tamed opposition” under Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Despite a fragile political state for years and alleged ties with a neighbouring country, Quader claimed his party’s main strength is the people.
Terming the National Consensus Commission as “disunity,” the JaPa chief questioned how consensus could be achieved while half of the country’s population is left out. The interview was taken by TIMES of Bangladesh Special Correspondent Mossarraf Bablu.
Click here to watch the interview.
TIMES: You see no difference between the Hasina regime and the interim government. Why do you believe so?
GM Quader: The issues that were present in Sheikh Hasina’s regime are evident in the incumbent government as well. Sheikh Hasina used the Liberation War’s name to promote partisan politics, create a faction, and foster inequality.
The opposition leaders and activists were imprisoned, and extrajudicial killings became commonplace. The administration was manipulated, and she established an authoritarian one-party government by monopolising the election system.
The interim government is doing the same thing. The only difference is that Sheikh Hasina used the Liberation War, while this government erased it and perpetuated the same inequality. They are providing special privileges to anti-liberation elements while depriving those who supported the Liberation War.
This is how they are conducting partisan politics.
I personally know many of the advisers in the interim government, and they are honest and competent people. However, when our guardian, the chief adviser, referred to a few student leaders as his ‘employers,’ it became clear that power had shifted.
Initially, the student movement was against quotas, but it later turned into a movement against inequality. Around 99% of the people in the country were somehow involved in this movement.
However, when the so-called ‘employers’ announced that they were ready to overthrow the government with arms, questions arose. Who provided them with weapons, training, and money? Therefore, this government is not neutral.
They are working for a specific party or group, supported by political parties and international forces. They are the ones making decisions for the country.
One adviser claimed that students had used weapons. I have seen them handle AK-47 rifle magazines and bullets. They are creating mobs and providing them with protection. The perpetrators of the killings are not being arrested, but others are being framed and detained.
There is a reign of terror in the country.
General Ziaur Rahman was a freedom fighter and a Bir Uttam. He was the first to declare independence and even mentioned Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The BNP is a popular and powerful party, and Tarique Rahman is a brilliant leader representing the youth.
We hope to see him lead the country in the future. However, under this government, a free, fair and impartial election is impossible. We believe this government cannot hold a proper election.
Has the interim government fulfilled the expectations that the people had during the mass uprising?
No, they have failed. This government is doing what Sheikh Hasina did. In some cases, they are doing even worse. In the name of polls, they are trying to implement their own formulas to ensure specific people are elected.
They want to hold the elections in the same way as the Awami League.
The Awami League has been banned from political activities. Some say that your party was allied with the AL. What’s your take on this?
We were never aligned with the Awami League. We were with the people. When the people’s interest required, we made agreements. We officially boycotted the 2014 elections, and 270 of our candidates did not even campaign.
So, it is inaccurate to say we were allies of the Awami League.
Some say you want to form an alliance with ‘clean image’ AL leaders. Does that imply you have contacts with the AL?
That is quite normal. This should not be an issue. Those who have committed misdeeds under the banner of the Awami League should face punishment. But should we deny the voting rights of ordinary voters and activists who have not been convicted?
Changing sides is common in politics. Many BNP leaders have joined our party and contested elections, as have leaders from Jamaat. So, there is no reason to stop leaders from the Awami League, who are not involved in any crimes or convicted by any court, from participating in polls.
A year into the movement, divisions have emerged among the protestors. Will the elections take place on schedule?
As I have said before, elections will not take place on time. It will be a farce. The seats will be pre-determined, and the result will be announced accordingly. There is no way a fair election is possible.
Do you think that the victory of Islami Chhatra Shibir candidates in Ducsu and Jucsu elections will have an impact on the national election?
Absolutely, it will have an impact. Both the Awami League and the BNP considered universities as their strongholds. The students sought to break free from that dominance and found an alternative in Shibir.
Despite their Islamic ideology, they have strategically presented themselves. They have the organisation, money, and manpower. They will try to capitalise on this in the national elections.
Many are saying that Jamaat-e-Islami might come to power. What is your opinion?
If elections are held in Sheikh Hasina’s style, Jamaat could come to power. Jamaat is an ideological party with international connections. However, they cannot change everything at will.
What do you think about the vandalism at Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32, the JaPa party office fire, and the Rajbari incident?
These are just examples of mobocracy and terrorism. It is a strategy to control people by instilling fear. There is an attempt to control the media, businesses, and everything. During the “71 Manch” incident at DRU, mobs were utilised.
Freedom fighters and intellectuals were publicly humiliated. The police did not protect them, they got arrested instead.
There have also been attempts to attack me. My house in Rangpur was targeted. Our only crime is that we haven’t fallen in line with the government. That’s why there are efforts to suppress our politics.
Consensus could not be reached on the July Charter and the Proportional Representation (PR) system. What do you think?
I see it as futile. National consensus is not possible without including a party representing 50% of the people. First, we need to know the people’s demands.
Everyone wants an election, and the interim government says it will be free and fair. Why is there still unrest?
What the government is saying is what we want too, but in reality, they are not delivering on the promises. I am not talking about interim government officials, but their “employers.”
They have international connections and are the real decision-makers. If the election is conducted under them, it will not be sustainable. Instead, it will lead to bloodshed, unrest, instability, and people dying of famine.
Recently, an attack occurred in front of your Kakrail office on Nurul Haque Nur, president of the Gana Odhikar Parishad. Your party has been blamed for this. What do you have to say?
I do not want to comment on this issue. A case has been filed. Our office was vandalised, looted, and set on fire right in front of everyone. This time, at least the police have taken responsibility for our safety.
During Ershad’s time, the JaPa had many prominent leaders. Now, there is a split. Do you plan on bringing them back?
No, not for now. Not only the Jatiya Party, but all parties have experienced splits. The BNP has split many times. Having prominent leaders means having popular support. We are doing politics to serve the people, and that is the right kind of politics.
Many Awami League leaders are hiding. The Jatiya Party is now in a stronger position. What is the source of your strength?
Our strength comes from the people. We are working for them, and they are our refuge.
