JP to show popularity in city polls: Ershad

Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad has expressed the hope that his party will prove its popularity through winning the upcoming city corporation elections, reports UNB.

"City corporation elections both in Dhaka and Chittagong are a great opportunity for us. We've already announced our candidacy for the polls. We'll prove how much we are popular through participating in and winning the elections," he said.

Ershad, also a special envoy to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was addressing a reception organised by the Dhaka North unit of JP at a city restaurant on Friday, marking his 85th birth anniversary.

Taking a swipe at both Awami League and BNP, the JP chief said, "You (AL and BNP) came to power making promises to people that you would restore democracy in the country. What kind of democracy have you restored? Parliament is not effective. Opposition has no role in the House. What type of democracy is it?"

He also expressed the hope that Jatiya Party will realise its prime dream to form the government through winning over 151 seats in the next national election.

Observing that the country's people want to get freed from the clutches of Awami League and BNP, Ershad said, "We'll go to power not to rule the people but to serve them. We must bring a change and old good days will come back."

JP secretary general Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu and Salma Islam, MP, also spoke on the occasion.