Former Bangladesh military dictator Ershad hospitalised

DHAKA: Bangladesh's former military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad was on Sunday admitted in an unidentified hospital as major political alliances awaited his decision on siding with one of them, his party leaders said.

His younger brother G M Quader, who was recently taken back after a month's expulsion from his Jatiya Party (JP), said Ershad went out for a walk and then they came to know he was in a hospital.

He told TV channels that Ershad had received threats for deciding to side with the 14-party alliance in an electoral strategy.

Kazi Zafar Ahmed, another senior party leader, echoed Quader, but added that "if we say in which hospital he is taking rest then the media people and party workers will crowd and the hospital will not be there."

Ershad took a u-turn a month ago saying his majority party men wanted the JP to side with Sheikh Hasina Wajed's Awami league-led 14-party alliance instead of his own decision to join the four-party alliance led by Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

The latest drama comes after a high court confirmed last week a guilty verdict against General Hussain Mohammad Ershad for squandering state funds and sentenced him to two years rigorous imprisonment.

Ershad's party followers reacted angrily and enforced a one-day general strike on Sunday, which was also backed by Awami League in five districts. The action ended peacefully.

Districts of Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha and Nilphamari are known as JP strongholds. JP leaders have alleged that the verdict was influenced by the BNP as Ershad wanted to go to the 14-party alliance. BNP scoffed such allegations.