Apparently softening his stance on boycotting the January-5 national election, Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad on Friday said he will join the polls if the deadline for filing nomination is extended by 10 days and the participation of all parties is ensured.
Taking to reporters at his Baridhara residence in the evening, Ershad said, “My party ministers, during their yesterday’s (Thursday’s) meeting with the Prime Minister, requested her to extend the schedule time by 10 days.”
“If the deadline is extended and all parties join the election, I’ll also participate in it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jatiya Party ABM Ruhul Amin Howlder told reporters at Ershad’s Baridahara residence that negations are on with the government, but they would not do anything that would go against conscience.
Asked whether there is any communication with the main opposition BNP, he said there had been no contact with the opposition party and they were not thinking about it either.
But party chairman HM Ershad shrugged off Howlder’s remarks saying that there is no negotiation with the government as Howlader claimed.
On Tuesday, Ershad in a dramatic U-turn announced that his party would boycott the 10th parliamentary polls.
On November 18, Ershad deserted the ruling Awami League-led grand alliance and urged BNP to join the general election to save the country and maintain the democratic process.
Later on Thursday, five Jatiya Party ministers submitted their resignation letters to party chairman HM Ershad to forward those to the President.
Source: UNB Connect