JP wants polls as per constitution

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said the upcoming general election will be held in light of the constitution and the Jatiya Party, the main opposition in the parliament, tendered its consent to the issue.

“We reach a consensus with the Jatyiaa Party in this regard,” Quader told reporters after dialogue between the Awami League-led 14-party and JP-led Sammilito Jatiya Jote held at the prime minister’s official residence Gono Bhaban this evening.

Jatiya Party (JP) ends dialogue with Awami League-led 14-party alliance at Gono Bhaban in Dhaka on Monday evening over the upcoming general election. The photo shows that a car carrying JP Chairman HM Ershad is emerging Gono Bhaban on Monday, November 5, 2018 Photo: Collected

About the seat sharing with JP, Quader said no discussion in this regard took place during the talks.

“We will form a small committee to settle the issue. It is not a problem. We will solve it. We will face the electoral battle together and form government again jointly,” Quader said.

Jatiya Party (JP) begins dialogue with Awami League-led 14-party alliance at Gono Bhaban on Monday evening over the upcoming general election. The photo shows that Jatiya Party leader GM Quader is on way to Gono Bhaban on Monday, November 5, 2018. Photo: Collected

Besides, JP Co-chairman GM Quader said they underscored the need for holding of the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner in light of the constitution.

“We did not raise any specific demand in the meeting instead of free, fair and credible national election,” he said.

While talking to the reporters, Awami League advisory council member Tofail Ahmed said Ershad vested all-out support to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in holding of free and fair general election.

“I have full confidence to the prime minister and it will remain…,” Tofail quoted as Ershad saying.

Responding to a query, Tofail said the JP will remain prepared to contest the polls in 300 seats.

Earlier, a 32-member delegation led by JP Chairman HM Ershad went to the official residence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina around 6:30pm.

Sheikh Hasina led the 14-party alliance during the dialogue that began around 7:20pm.

Responding to Ershad’s call for dialogue, on October 31, the prime minister invited him for the talks scheduled to be held at around 7:30pm today.

Earlier, on Saturday, while addressing a public gathering at Guthail High School and College ground in Jamalpur’s Islampur upazila, JP chief HM Ershad said in favour of Jatiya Party, they will seek more seats to contest the upcoming general election.

Jatiya Party is a component of the United National Alliance which is comprised of 58 political parties.