Immediately after getting ad interim bail yesterday, Abdul Jalil resumed responsibility as Awami League (AL) General Secretary ending all speculations over his return to politics, and announced that he would continue to be in politics until the last day of his life.
He returned home on August 31 after prolonged treatment in Singapore since his release on parole on March 2.
Jalil formally starts his activities as party general secretary this morning after placing wreaths at the portrait of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Road-32 at Dhanmondi in the capital.
"I have been involved in politics for long 45 years and I will continue to be so for people's welfare as long as I am alive," Jalil said responding to a query about his earlier statement on quitting politics.
Jalil's announcement to resume as the party general secretary has meanwhile evoked mixed reactions within the AL.
Even party President Sheikh Hasina called acting party chief Zillur Rahman over phone and wanted to know under which grounds Jalil took the charge suddenly.
"She [Hasina] phoned me and wanted to know how he [Jalil] took charge," Zillur told The Daily Star last night.
Sources said Hasina had advised Jalil a couple of days ago to take rest rather than taking charge as the party's general secretary. She said acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam would continue his job.
Speculations about his return to politics grew following his 'mercy petition' to the caretaker government on July 5 last year seeking release, and stating that he had decided to retire from politics, if necessary. In the petition, he also blasted AL President Sheikh Hasina for her 'dictatorial leadership'.
Asked about the petition sent to the government through his wife Rehana Jalil, the AL leader said it would not be proper to create 'further confusion' about it. "I don't know from where the letter (petition) came. But I did not send any letter stating that I'll quit politics, and my wife also did not," he told a press briefing at the Supreme Court Bar Association soon after getting bail.
He however said he had sent a letter to the government for his release and treatment.
But on July 15 last year, in an interview with a private television channel Jalil said he himself wrote a letter to the chief adviser about quitting politics and appealed for his release. Later, he said he might join politics if he is released and recovers from illness.
He also questioned yesterday under which law the media was allowed to interview him while in detention.
Jalil alleged that he was arrested and charged only for harassment. He said his leader [Hasina] had told him that everything was being done with ill motive.
The AL leader mentioned that as per the party constitution, he is supposed to resume activities as general secretary.
"As I was released on parole for treatment on condition that I will not engage in politics or make any political speech while on parole, I did not want to violate it since I am respectful to the rule of law. I was just waiting for bail," he said.
"I asked my party colleague Syed Ashraful Islam (acting general secretary) to continue doing my job. Since my parole was supposed to end today (yesterday), I appealed to the High Court for bail and got bail until October 20," Jalil said. "As a bailed person, I now announce my resumption of duties as Awami League general secretary."
He blamed the media for creating confusion in the past over his party responsibility. "But now there is no scope to create further confusion over the matter," he said.
Replying to another query, Jalil said the AL had supported the caretaker government's anti-corruption drive but it was later conducted on political grounds. "It is not proper to harass people in the name of anti-corruption drive."
JALIL-ZILLUR MEETINGAfter the press briefing, Jalil rushed to AL acting President Zillur Rahman's Gulshan residence. Zillur received him cordially and expressed satisfaction that he got bail from the High Court.
"We have repeatedly said there is no allegation against him [Jalil]. He was charged and arrested on false and fabricated allegation. We had said earlier that he would not go into hiding if he is set free," said Zillur.
Referring to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's bail, the acting AL chief said they welcome it. But all must be equal before law, he said, adding the government has no right to keep many others detained after the release of Khaleda and her son Tarique Rahman.
Zillur said it now depends on Jalil when he will resume his activities as AL general secretary. But as per the party constitution, the responsibility went to him immediately after his return to the country, he added.
Jalil was arrested by the joint forces from his Mercantile Bank office in the capital on May 28 last year. As he fell sick after his arrest, he was taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital. As his condition deteriorated , he was shifted to LabAid Cardiac Hospital.
Since his condition deteriorated further, he was set free on parole on March 2 for treatment abroad. The next day he went to Singapore and had treatment in Mount Elizabeth Hospital for about six months.
