leaders of different political parties and civil society members yesterday came up with mixed reactions to detained Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil’s letter to the chief adviser.
The AL raised question if it was written by Jalil himself while the BNP described as contradictory the-letter where the leader of Its arch rival has begged for release and said if necessary he was ready to quit politics.
In the petition made public by his wife Thursday Jalil also blasted AL President Sheikh Hasina for what he said was her dictatorial leadership.
Talking to The Daily Star, former adviser to the caretaker government Sultana Kamal said, "Abdul Jalil was the general secretary of an age-old political party I find it difficult to appreciate the way he has quit politics.”
She said she doubts if he has taken the decision independently. It would be very unfortunate if it pressure, added the rights activist.
“If the politicians continue caving in to pressure, then people will lose faith in them and as a result, democracy will be at stake,” she observed.
AL Presidium Member Ataur Rahman Khan Kaiser yesterday too questioned the authenticity of the letter. He said he wonders how anyone can be sure that Jalil himself has written it.
In the four-paged computer composed letter, Jalil pleaded the military-backed caretaker government to free him on humanitarian grounds and said he was ready to leave politics.
He also blasted AL President Sheikh Hasina for what he said was her dictatorial leadership.
BNP Standing Committee Member Let Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said he thinks Jalil's decision is a good sign for the country's politics.
He said the AL leader's decision to leave politics voluntarily might help many other politicians realize that it was their failure not to contribute to politics in a positive way and that they were involved in misdeeds.
“Mr. Jalil has realised and admitted his failures, and I think it's a good sign,” Rahman, a former army chief told The Daily Star.
“At least one example of quitting politics willingly has been established in the country's current political state. This will help bring back the congenial atmosphere and carry forward the current reform process initiative,” said the pro-reform BNP stalwart.
Replying to a query, he said as Jalil's wife, the nearest and dearest one, has distributed copies of the letter there is no room for thinking otherwise.
Transparency International Bangladesh Chairman Prof
Muzaffer Ahmad observed that a person himself could quit politics and thought that there was no political implication within it.
He said there might have been family pressure on him to quit politics for the interest of family and health. He said he cannot say if there was any pressure on Jalil from any quarters. It could not be known for sure until the AL leader is freed and makes it clear.
He however observed that what Jalil has said about the party is true. As he wants to quit politics, he might have made those things public.
Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Naziur Rahman Manju said it was his personal matter whether he would quit or continue. The BJP leader demanded the caretaker government verify the letter was written by Jalil.
“The government should verify whether the signature on the letter was Jalil's or a fake one,” he told The Daily Star replying to a query.
Another BNP leader Ashraf Hossain termed it 'a little contradictory'. “Jalil mentioned that he will help the government in the reform process if he gets a chance in future, which I think is contradictory,” said Ashraf, a joint secretary general of the BNP.
“If he has really decided to leave politics, then how come he expects to co-operate the government in reforms?” he questioned.
“It is the duty of the government to prove if it's genuine or fake,” said Ashraf, aformerwhip.