JP to be part of AL alliance if BNP joins next polls: Ershad

HM Ershad has said that the Ershad-led faction of Jatiya Party will form alliance with ruling Awami League if Bangladesh Nationalist Party participates in the next general election.
‘JP will contest in 300 hundred seats if BNP does not go for election,’ Jatiya Party chief Ershad, also the prime minister’s special envoy, said on Saturday while speaking with journalists about the party’s stance for the upcoming general election, likely to be held in December this year.
Ershad talked to journalists at Rangpur Circuit House as he is now staying in Rangpur on the occasion of Eid-ul Azha. 
Ershad also said, ‘BNP is now a scattered party. They are not well organised. There is confusion about their participation in the upcoming general election. However, we have taken all preparation for the polls.’   
‘JP will represent their members in the mini-cabinet, which will be formed before the election. But the members have not been finalised yet,’ he added.
Ershad said, ‘I hope that JP will win in 21 seats of greater Rangpur districts as we have given the Pirganj seat to AL. We want all seats of Rangpur. AL bagged the majority seats of the district in the last election as there was no contestant from JP. But elections will be held this year and Rangpur people will cast vote for JP.’ 
Replying a query about the new alliance, led by Badrudhoja Chowdhury and Kamal Hossain, the former president said, ‘Currently there are only two alliances in the country — AL led grand alliance including JP, and Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led 20 Dall.’ 
About the recent quota reform movement and road safety movement, Ershad said that no movement would work out during the reign of Awami League. 
He also demanded immediate release the students who were arrested during the road safety movement on charge of spreading rumours and during the quota reform movement on charge vandalising Dhaka University vice-chancellor’s house. 
Ershad also formally announced that he would participate in the next polls from Rangpur- 3 constituency. 
JP co-chairman GM Kader, secretary general , ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader, presidium member Ziauddin Bablu, Rangpur city Mayor Mostafizur Rhaman Mostafa and the party’s district unit leaders and activists were present during the meeting.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net