Along with him, two other BJP presidium members, Fakrul Imam and Golam Sarwar Milon, returned to the organisation that they once belonged to.

JP Chairman HM Ershad at a press briefing at his Banani office yesterday greeted the joining. He said, "It really is a very happy day for the party that he [Firoz Rashid] is back."

"It shows that we are getting stronger," added the former president.

Firoz Rashid will be appointed political secretary to the JP chairman. Ershad said, "He will act as a spokesman for me."

Some JP sources however hinted that Rashid would be made the next secretary-general.

"I am back to my home in response to Ershad's call for greater unity, " said Firoz Rashid adding, "I hope that others will follow suit."

"I don't have any discord with anybody," he said, "I am back to Jatiya Party for the sake of politics, as I cannot contribute much from a limited position."

Responding to further queries from the newsmen, Rashid said that he allied with the ruling coalition because then he considered it wise. "People will evaluate both the successes and failures of the coalition government in the next general elections," he added.

"Anyone who wants to pursue politics, has to join my party," Ershad said, "We are rapidly gaining strength to compete independently in the next general elections."

He said that credit for having Firoz Rashid on board again goes to Bidisha Ershad, coordinator of the JP's women wing.

JP Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawladar, Fakrul Imam and Bidisha Ershad were present at the press conference.

Golam Sarwar Milon did not attend the press conference. The JP chairman, however, received his joining letter.

Meanwhile BJP Chairman Naziur Rahman Manjur told the press that Kazi Firoz Rashid is yet to resign from the party. Joining any other organisation is his personal matter, and it will not hamper the BJP.