The Jatiya Party will not go to the parliamentary elections if BNP stays away from it, Chairman Hussein Muhammad Ershad has said.His statement came on Sunday amid the conflicting stance of BNP and Awami League over the nature of the election-time interim government.
The main opposition has long been demanding the reinstatement of a non-party caretaker government which was annulled through a constitutional amendment.
Jatiya Party is a key component of the ruling Awami League-led Grand Alliance.
After meeting the party Presidium at the Banani office, Ershad told reporters, “An uncertainty over all political parties joining the next election has arisen. The Awami League could hold a one-sided polls if BNP does not participate.”
“The country might slip into chaos if there is a one-sided election. The Jatiya Party will not take responsibility if that happens. But the Jatiya Party will not go to election if the BNP does not take part in it.”
The BNP has been leading a long campaign demanding reinstatement of the caretaker government as it repeatedly stated any election under a partisan government will not be free and fair.
But the election will be held under the incumbent Awami League-led government in accordance with the Constitution’s amended provisions.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and senior leaders of the ruling party have rejected and announced to follow the present constitutional provision to hold the next election.
But Ershad has something to say against Awami League’s stance over the polls-time government’s nature.
“I don’t want to die as a collaborator,” said the former military ruler who was ousted through a mass uprising in 1990.
The Jatiya Party will contest going alone in the election if all the parties join it, said Ershad. “Will leave the Grand Alliance in right time,” he said.
Presidium member Raushan Ershad brushed aside rumours and newspaper reports about her party’s leaning towards BNP. “This is not true.”
She echoed her husband’s words about leaving the ruling coalition when the time came. – Agencies
