Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad on Thursday said that his party would quit the ruling ‘grand alliance’ in a day or two and form a new political alliance.
`We have discussed [the plan] with some parties, including Islam-based ones. An announcement of a new alliance will be made very soon,’ Ershad said while addressing a group of students who have joined Jatiya Chhatra Samaj, student wing of JP, at its Banani Office in the capital.
Ershad’s announcement came within 24-hours after a meeting on Wednesday night with Bikalpadhara Bangladesh chief AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Krishak Sramik Janata League president Kader Siddiqui and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal chief ASM Abdur Rob.
`I have also talked with Gana Forum president Kamal Hossain and he will join our alliance. Some Islamist parties will also join,’ said Ershad whose party is a component of the Awami League-led ‘grand alliance’.
The former military ruler also said that the JP would not contest the next elections unless all political parties, including BNP, joined the polls.
Ershad said that the proposed alliance would be formed with the parties which were eager to get rid of the ‘misrule’ and ‘monopoly’ of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia.
`An election might be held if JP joins it under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina but such an election would not be acceptable to all. A government elected through such polls will be short-lived,’ said Ersahd in reply to a query.
`JP will no more allow any party to use it as a ladder to go to power,’ Ershad said adding, ‘The country is now in the dark… No one knows what is going to happen tomorrow.’
Nearly 100 students of Dhaka University, Dhaka College, Government Titumir College, Government Suhrawardi College and some private universities joined Jatiya Chhatra Samaj on the day.
Ershad welcomed the newcomers. JP secretary general ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader, presidium member Kazi Zafar Ahmad, Ziauddin Ahmad Bablu and Kazi Feroz Rashid spoke.
-With New Age input
