Hussain Muhammad Ershad

Hussain Muhammad Ershad (1 February 1930 – 14 July 2019) was a Bangladeshi military officer and politician who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1983 to 1990, seizing power through a military coup. He founded the Jatiya Party and remained influential in Bangladeshi politics until his death. Born in Rangpur district, Ershad joined the Pakistan Army and rose to the rank of Lieutenant General. He became Chief of Army Staff in Bangladesh after independence. On March 24, 1982, he seized power in a bloodless coup, initially as martial law administrator and later declaring himself President. During his presidency, Ershad focused on decentralization of government, infrastructure development, and economic liberalization. He introduced the district council system and promoted local governance. He also promoted Islam as the state religion, a controversial decision that still affects Bangladesh's politics. Ershad was forced to resign in December 1990 following mass pro-democracy protests led by the Awami League and BNP. After his resignation, he formed the Jatiya Party and participated in democratic politics, serving as a coalition partner in various governments. He remained a member of parliament until his death in 2019.