Jatiya Party (Japa) has always opposed and criticized the immoral actions of Awami League. Party Chairman Golam Mohammad (GM) Quader has claimed that though the Jatiya Party is a part of the government through the democratic process, it is not a friend of any party.
He claimed this at the press conference organized in the incident of attack, vandalism and arson at the office of Zapar Kakrail on Thursday night.
This press conference was held at Zapar Banani's office on Friday morning.
GM Quader said, 'We have organized a rally tomorrow (November 2), around which a group led by a leader of the Chhatra Adhikar Parishad, Benyamin Mollah, vandalized the Jatiya Party office last night under the banner of Chhatra-Janata, we strongly condemn and protest this. We came to know, later another group led by Monir, Ismail, Anwar attacked our party office under the banner of Citizen Committee.'
Japa chairman said, 'We are a large political party in the country. We decided to hold the rally with valid permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to hold the mass meeting. They have planned this attack to disrupt the mass meeting scheduled for tomorrow by a cabal. The Jatiya Party will do that rally even if it gives its life.'
He said, 'We are called friends of Awami League, I want to clarify the matter, when I was a minister during the Awami League government, I did not do the things that I was asked to do against the country and the people. I said, I will resign if necessary. Many of you know them. We talked about the most criticism during the Awami League government, their corruption. Talked about extrajudicial killing. So how are we friends!'
GM Quader said, 'A small section has always opposed the Jatiya Party, they have tried to make the Jatiya Party smaller. But Jatiya Party is a political party. My party leaders are not involved in corruption, extortion, tender rigging, vandalism, arson. We do politics peacefully.'
At this time, GM asked questions about the silence of the chief advisor's office. He said, 'You say, we are being called friends from the office of the one whom we consider as guardian (Dr. Muhammad Yunus). He didn't protest, he didn't say anything. It means, there is his tacit consent and support. We are deeply shocked by this incident.'
Japa chairman criticized the current government's attacks on innocent people. He said, 'Now the ruling group will decide who is guilty and who is innocent – it is unfair. I will request the judiciary, you are our last refuge, I will go to you when all is over, you do not let us down.'
The Japa leader explained that he participated in the four national elections from 2008 to 2024 in alliance with the Awami League. He said, 'We were with Awami League not for 16 years, but for 10 years. The 2008 election was a universally accepted election. In 2001, BNP won the election with absolute victory, which was also an acceptable election. After this, we criticized the Awami League.
JAPA chairman said, 'You know, the Awami League government has created a B team by conspiring with the Jatiya Party. Participated in the election with their sponsorship. We have been forced to choose by intimidation in various ways. All parties except BNP have participated in the 2024 elections. So how can the National Party single-handedly be the friend of the Awami League?'
GM Quader said, 'The Jatiya Party has the full right to hold all kinds of meetings as a political party and as a citizen of this country in these two articles 37 and 38 of the Constitution. The Constitution has given us that right.'
Japa Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Additional Secretary General (Rangpur Division) Barrister Shamim Haider Patwari, Presidium Member Sherifa Quader and others were present in the press conference.
