Bidisha, former wife of Jatiya Party’s Chairman HM Ershad, is now quite a political firebrand. She recently addressed a public rally in Panchagarh along with Shafiul Alam Pradhan, as leaders of the new Jatiya Party Gonotantrik Dhara. Defying Section 144, they addressed the rally from the back of a truck as it hadn’t been possible to construct a dais on the selected site. Supporters attended the rally donned in white shrouds, protesting against the restrictions on the meeting.

“I have no problem with the government,” Bidisha told newsmen, “my bone of contention is with Ershad. He has sided with the four-party coalition, disregarding the views of the party leaders and workers. We will uphold the ideals of the Liberation War and strengthen the pro-liberation forces.”