Ershad still for polls under emergency

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Jatiya Party (JP) chairman Hussain Muhammad Ershad Saturday argued for elections under the state of emergency to ensure a terrorism-free vote, reports bdnews24.com from Bogra.
"Terrorists will appear again if emergency is lifted," Ershad said while exchanging views with journalists at Bogra Parjatan Hotel on way to Rangpur.
The former president has consistently backed elections "keeping emergency in place", though his electoral partner Awami League (AL) has so far opposed polls under the emergency.
On the possibility of becoming president if the AL-led alliance, including JP, comes to power, Ershad said: "I want to be president. I discussed the possibility with the 'grand alliance' formed before the forestalled election of Jan 22 in 2007. Discussion regarding the matter is still going on."
On seat-sharing among the alliance members, the JP chairman said: "We will decide about the issue after concluding ongoing discussions."
Ershad also said he would file nomination forms for three constituencies in Rangpur, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat.
JP leader GM Quader and local stalwarts were also present during the programme.
UINB adds: Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad joined the Awami League (AL)-led alliance apparently eyeing for the presidency said Saturday his party would contest the upazila polls without the alliance, reports UNB.
"We will go alone in the upazila polls," he told newsmen at the Parjaton Motel where he broke journey to his home district Rangpur from Dhaka.
Replying to a question he said he was hopeful of no problem with Awami League about sharing of seats in parliamentary election.