JP plans to forge new alliance by March

Jatiya Party (JP) chairman Hussain Mohammad Ershad is contemplating forging an electoral alliance with some smaller political parties and pro-Islamic groups by March, according to party leaders. Talking to The Independent, some presidium members of the party, however, expressed their ignorance about the matter. Some of them observed that the formation of such an alliance would not be viable at this moment. The matter was not discussed at the last presidium meeting of the party held on January 1, they said. “There has been sustainable progress in the formation of an alliance. Our party chairman has had several meetings with them (political parties and Islamic groups). He (Ershad) is likely to announce the formation of the alliance through a press conference in March,” said JP secretary general Ruhul Amin Howlader. He also said that the party chairman is actively considering the forging of an electoral alliance with some smaller political parties, which are likely to come out from the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance, and certain pro-Islamic groups that remain in communication with him.
Replying to a question, Howlader said some 10–12 political parties under the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance and a number of Islamic parties are being considered.  He, however, did not disclose the names of the parties, saying that it may harm their effort. “The alliance will be an electoral one. We want to take part in the next general polls under the banner of the alliance,” he added.
The JP leader expressed optimism that this alliance would be the biggest one if the BNP-led alliance does not participate in the next polls. He said that the people who believe in nationalism and ulema would extend their support to them.
Asked whether Islami Andolon Bangladesh will join the proposed alliance, Howlader replied in the affirmative, saying that the party is on their list.
Islami Andolon Bangladesh joint general secretary Maulana ATM Hemayet Uddin, however, denied having any discussion with the JP over the formation of such an alliance. He said that his party’s decision is to contest in all the 300 constituencies alone.
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon ameer Maulana Ataullah said that the JP has so far not approached them about the formation of an alliance. Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon may join an alliance for the upcoming polls if they find a like-minded party, he added.
Islami Oikya Jote ameer Maulana Abdul Latif Nezami said that they cannot join Ershad’s proposed alliance since they are in an alliance of their own.
JP presidium member SM Faysal Chisti said that the alliance formation is still at a preliminary stage and it is too early to make any comment. He added that an alliance is likely to be forged ahead of the next general polls.
Another presidium member, Syed Abu Hossain Babla, said that he has heard that the party chairman would form an alliance. “An alliance would be formed, since the chairman has said so. It may be formed in the next two to three months,” he added.
On Saturday, HM Ershad at a joining meeting at his office said that he would form an alliance like the AL and the BNP. He added that he has already talked to leaders of some parties in this regard.
Since its inception on January 1, 1986, the JP has been split into at least four fractions—Jatiya Party (Ershad), Jatiya Party (Manju), Bangladesher Jatiya Party (Partha) and Jatiya Party (Kazi-Zafar).
Erstwhile Army chief Ershad, who had usurped the state power in a coup d’état on March 24, 1982, formed the party for more civil influence. Ershad was elected president through a presidential election on October 15, 1986, that had been boycotted by major opposition parties.
The JP was the biggest party during his rule, but it emerged as the third force after the fall of Ershad—its founder. The party secured only 32 seats in the sixth parliamentary election held on June 12, 1996, under the caretaker government (CTG). The JP emerged as the opposition party in the 2014 general election, which was boycotted by the BNP.

JP plans to forge new alliance by March

Jatiya Party (JP) chairman Hussain Mohammad Ershad is contemplating forging an electoral alliance with some smaller political parties and pro-Islamic groups by March, according to party leaders. Talking to The Independent, some presidium members of the party, however, expressed their ignorance about the matter. Some of them observed that the formation of such an alliance would not be viable at this moment. The matter was not discussed at the last presidium meeting of the party held on January 1, they said. There has been sustainable progress in the formation of an alliance. Our party chairman has had several meetings with them (political parties and Islamic groups). He (Ershad) is likely to announce the formation of the alliance through a press conference in March, said JP secretary general Ruhul Amin Howlader. He also said that the party chairman is actively considering the forging of an electoral alliance with some smaller political parties, which are likely to come out from the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance, and certain pro-Islamic groups that remain in communication with him. Replying to a question, Howlader said some 1012 political parties under the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance and a number of Islamic parties are being considered. He, however, did not disclose the names of the parties, saying that it may harm their effort. The alliance will be an electoral one. We want to take part in the next general polls under the banner of the alliance, he added. The JP leader expressed optimism that this alliance would be the biggest one if the BNP-led alliance does not participate in the next polls. He said that the people who believe in nationalism and ulema would extend their support to them. Asked whether Islami Andolon Bangladesh will join the proposed alliance, Howlader replied in the affirmative, saying that the party is on their list. Islami Andolon Bangladesh joint general secretary Maulana ATM Hemayet Uddin, however, denied having any discussion with the JP over the formation of such an alliance. He said that his partys decision is to contest in all the 300 constituencies alone. Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon ameer Maulana Ataullah said that the JP has so far not approached them about the formation of an alliance. Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon may join an alliance for the upcoming polls if they find a like-minded party, he added. Islami Oikya Jote ameer Maulana Abdul Latif Nezami said that they cannot join Ershads proposed alliance since they are in an alliance of their own. JP presidium member SM Faysal Chisti said that the alliance formation is still at a preliminary stage and it is too early to make any comment. He added that an alliance is likely to be forged ahead of the next general polls. Another presidium member, Syed Abu Hossain Babla, said that he has heard that the party chairman would form an alliance. An alliance would be formed, since the chairman has said so. It may be formed in the next two to three months, he added. On Saturday, HM Ershad at a joining meeting at his office said that he would form an alliance like the AL and the BNP. He added that he has already talked to leaders of some parties in this regard. Since its inception on January 1, 1986, the JP has been split into at least four fractionsJatiya Party (Ershad), Jatiya Party (Manju), Bangladesher Jatiya Party (Partha) and Jatiya Party (Kazi-Zafar). Erstwhile Army chief Ershad, who had usurped the state power in a coup dtat on March 24, 1982, formed the party for more civil influence. Ershad was elected president through a presidential election on October 15, 1986, that had been boycotted by major opposition parties. The JP was the biggest party during his rule, but it emerged as the third force after the fall of Ershadits founder. The party secured only 32 seats in the sixth parliamentary election held on June 12, 1996, under the caretaker government (CTG). The JP emerged as the opposition party in the 2014 general election, which was boycotted by the BNP.