Parliament environment was better during my tenure: Ershad
Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad yesterday claimed that the environment prevailing in the two parliaments during his tenure was better than that in the current House, referring to the use of indecent and abusive words by some MPS inside parliament.
“Martial law or autocratic rule, whatever you call, the atmosphere in the parliaments during my tenure was better than the present one's”, said Ershad, who was ousted in 1990 through a mass upsurge, paving the way for restoration of democracy.
In the just-concluded session of parliament, some lawmakers used abusive words attacking their opponents in parliament.
The former president also criticised the main opposition BNP for their present role, saying that during the 1991-1996 tenure, the BNP-led government imposed section 144 to foil at least 145 meetings of the Jatiya Party.
Ershad, who is now a key leader of the AL-led ruling alliance, was speaking on the occasion of the conclusion of the parliament's 12th session yesterday.
He said people did not want the present democracy. “The current parliament does not speak of people's joys and sorrows. I hope the country would soon get a democratic parliament.”
Ershad grabbed the state power through a bloodless military coup on March 24, 1982. Upon his fall, the country switched to parliamentary democracy from presidential system.
Independent lawmaker Fazlul Azim also strongly criticised the use of indecent words in parliament.
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