The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Kurigram

Indicating to a hard bargaining for sharing seats to contest in the upcoming election Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad yesterday said staying in Awami League led grand alliance would be decided on return home of Sheikh Hasina.

Addressing a number of wayside meetings Ershad said his party has a bright prospect in all the 22 constituencies of greater Rangpur district.

"We are still in the grand alliance. Our stay in the alliance will be decided on return home of Awami League president Sheikh Hasina," he told his supporters at Rajarhat.

Referring to an estranged leader Ershad said Tajul Islam Chowdhury was elected MP several times from Rangpur-2 with JP ticket and was a minister during his rule. He defected Jatiya Party to join PDP, a party that has no root in Rangpur. Tajul now wants to back to JP but he will not be taken back, he added.

The JP chairman announced Major (rtd) Abdus Salam as the party candidate from Rangpur-2 in the December 18 election. He also announced Paniruddin Ahmed as the candidate for sadar upazila chairman.

He said his party's election manifesto is under preparation pledging for measures that will help the poor change their lot.

Ershad dismissed the prospect of his party's joining the BNP led alliance in the event of coming out of the grand alliance.

He was annoyed when a correspondent asked if he smells conspiracy of implicating him in Zia killing case to debar from contesting the election and in that case will JP take part in the election without him? "It's no question," he said avoiding answer.

The JP chairman also addressed wayside meetings at Baidder bazar, Tograihat, Vogdanga and Ghogadah.