Ershad orders nomination withdrawal by Dec 13

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad today directed his party’s candidates to withdraw nomination papers for the upcoming parliamentary election by December 13.
“I will not participate in the election without all parties,” he reiterated while talking to reporters at a press briefing at his Baridhara residence.
As per the schedule, December 13 is the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers for the 10th parliamentary election slated for January 5.
Earlier on December 3, Ershad announced his decision to boycott the election, saying a proper atmosphere for the election was missing.
When asked about media reports claiming 100 seats in the parliament would be given to Jatiya Party if they participate in the election, Ershad said his party would not join the polls even if 200 seats were given to them.
“The polls-time government is temporary. Any election under it is also meaningless and temporary. It doesn’t matter even if 100 or 200 seats are given to us,” Bangla daily Prothom Alo quoted him as saying.
Ershad also said that he submitted nomination forms with the hope that BNP will participate in it at the last moment.
“I will not used as a ladder for anyone else to go to power,” the JP chief insisted during the briefing.
Ershad’s comments came amid a series of dramatic events that saw the Jatiya Party leave the Awami League-led 14-party grand alliance to join the election-time cabinet on November 18.
Six JP leaders – four ministers and two state ministers – as well as adviser to the prime minister were sworn in on the same day in the interim cabinet.
In a complete U-turn, Ershad announced his decision last Wednesday to boycott the polls and instructed his party aspirants to withdraw their nomination.