Jatiya Party secretary general Mujibul Haque Chunnu. — File photo.
Jatiya Party secretary general Mujibul Haque Chunnu on Tuesday said that they had come forward to join Bangladesh’s next general election scheduled for January 7, but not to quit it.
‘I can tell you one thing clearly that the Jatiya Party is here to contest in the polls. The Jatiya Party did not come here to quit,’ he told reporters.
Chunnu said that he had no scope to make any comment on what prime minister Sheikh Hasina said, noting that it was up to her whether she believed them or not.
He said that there was no reason to quit the election if the Election Commission and the government ensure an environment that creates confidence among the voters.
His comments came amid reports in a section of the media that the prime minister was not sure whether Jatiya Party, the main opposition in parliament, would keep its word and stay in the electoral race.
Meanwhile, opposition leader in parliament and Jatiya Party chief patron Raushan Ershad met prime minister Sheikh Hasina at PM’s residence Ganobhaban.
Raushan’s son Rahgir Al Mahi (Saad) Ershad and her spokesperson Kazi Mamunur Rashid accompanied her.
Regarding the meeting, Chunnu said that Raushan Ershad was still the opposition leader and she could meet the leader of the House anytime. ‘She can go to Gonobhaban. It’s a very common in nature,’
Chunnu said that the image of the Jatiya Party could be enhanced and supporters of the JaPa would be happy if she could join the polls. ‘We waited till 10:30pm the day before the final day of nomination paper collection.’
Jatiya Party is still in bargaining with the ruling Awami League over seat sharing for next month’s national polls.
Talking to reporters after the meeting with PM Hasina, JP leader Raushan said that they discussed the current election issues.
Asked whether the PM said anything about JP’s joining excluding her she said, ‘No time now, what to say?’
Raushan said that JP chairman GM Quader did not behave well with them and he was contesting in her son’s constituency. ‘He even did not remember him (Saad).’
She said that they (JP chairman) dropped us intentionally. ‘Why should I have support for them?’
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