Voicebox

"He thinks he knows everything. He thinks he is the only patriot around."
HM ERSHAD
deposed dictator and chairman of Jatiya Party (JP)
about his brother and fellow party MP GM Quader.

"During vote they claim Allah is behind the scale (the election symbol of Jamaat) and leadership of women is haram; however after given the posts of ministers all things haram become halal for them."
COL (RTD) OLI AHMED
MP permanent member of the BNP standing committee
at a meeting at Lohagara criticising the politics of Jamaat.

"Our politicians are telling lies continuously but they are always forgiven."
SHAH AJAM SHANTUNU
Rajshahi University teacher.

"Who will prevent me from going to Rangpur?"
GM QUADER
about Ershad's comment that Quader will not be allowed to enter Rangpur, a JP stronghold.

"….The hurt, the blood, sweat and tears-- at times I wonder whether it's all worth it."
RIAZ
film actor
about the apparent sacrifices he is making to be on the screen at the expense of his family life.

"Since we are not sure yet whether it is a murder or not, we have filed an UD case."
Duty Officer of Mohammadpur Police Station
about Tuli, a two-and-a half-year old, who was found dead in the city 12 days after she had gone missing.
UD stands for Unnatural Death.

"I live in Chittagong, so does Mohiuddin Chowdhury. We are ashamed to see each other. Anyone who comes to Chittagong to oppose this bridge will get home with some broken bones."
ABDULLAH AL NOMAN
Fisheries and Livestock Minister.
Noman and Mohiuddin are both at loggerheads over a bridge on the Karnafuli in Chittagong.

"We cannot directly be involved in your politics, but can continue encouraging them."
RICHARD BOUCHER
US Assistant Secretary of State
on a visit to the country.
Boucher however did not elaborate what he meant by getting involved in local politics and what he meant by encouraging them.

"We simply were not good enough."
DAV WHATMORE
Coach, Bangladesh cricket team
after a series defeat to Zimbabwe.

"The politicians need to purify themselves."
SHEIKH SHAHIDUL ISLAM
former education minister
saying there are 122 smugglers in the parliament.
Islam was a minister in Ershad's government; Ershad's is believed to one of the most corrupt governments in the country's history.

QUOTATIONS ARE TAKEN FROM DIFFERENT LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPERS.
Compiled by: AHMEDE HUSSAIN

Copyright (R) thedailystar.net 2006