H M Ershad will be known as a politician after his death though he began his career in the army. During his life time, he was president, represented the parliament, and before his death, was the opposition leader in parliament. He breathed his last on Sunday (Jul 14) early morning at the Combined Military Hospital, CMH.

Political analysts say that after the killing of Bangabandhu in 1975 and President Zia in 1981, there was a political collapse creating a vacuum which helped Ershad’s political ascension.

Later, he achieved political establishment by forming Jatiya Party in alignment with Awami League and BNP.

Political analyst, writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed, said: “to become a military ruler, the first model is Ayub Khan; this was followed by Ziaur Rahman and then by Ershad.”

All of them came to power in the same manner and to legitimize their take over, formed political parties. Ershad carried out amendments to the constitution to validate his rule.

Election analyst and secretary for SUJON, Badiul Alam Majumdar, said: “those who carried out a movement to bring him down, reinstated him in politics. Since both AL and BNP give priority to politics of votes, Jatiya Party became important to them.”

Since 1996, both parties have exploited Ershad to win the elections so these parties played a pivotal role in making Ershad into a politician.