Ershad wants to win next elections!

Celebrating 36 years of his takeover of power overthrowing an elected government, former military ruler HM Ershad on Saturday said his Jatiya Party will win the next general elections and form its own government.

Now a special emissary of the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, Ershad said they also want fair election.

"We take fresh oath today, we will build a new Bangladesh," said Ershad accompanied his wife and official opposition leader in parliament Raushan Ershad, at a 'grand rally' of his party in Suhrawardy Udyan. His oath is a song that he tried to promote during his nine-year rule.

"We'll form the government by winning the next general elections. My message is clear. We are ready, so is the country," he said offering his JaPa as alternative to ruling Awami League and principal opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that ruled the country after his fall in 1990.

The government gave permission to the JaPa for holding the rally on 24 March, the day Ershad as the chief of army staff overthrew the elected president Abdus Sattar in 1982. BNP was denied such permission.

Both the AL and the BNP and their alliances then waged movement against Ershad demanding his resignation and formation of a caretaker government for holding parliamentary polls in a free and fair manner. The BNP still demands the same kind of administration for fair polls.

Ershad, who faced a number of cases, however, gave his formula of election-time government and said a poll-time cabinet should be formed by the parties that are represented in the current parliament. "The election commission will remain neutral and they (EC officials) will conduct the elections," he said.

The JaPa leader felt that the Awami League government will be compelled to allow a fair election.

The JaPa leader criticised both the AL and the BNP for failure to deliver good governance and development.

Referring to celebration of the country's graduation into a developing country with much enthusiasm, he said:

"Go out of Dhaka and see the poor conditions of people. Then you will realise how much development you have brought about in the country."

Ershad mentioned that there are killings and rapes everyday and there is no security and peace in the country.

He alleged that education was ruined. "Even the education minister advocates taking minimum amount of bribe."

Raushan Ershad said, "We'll no more be used as stair for their ascending to power. People now want change. JaPa has to go to power."

JaPa secretary general Ruhul Amin Hawlader said, "We have given examinations for 27 years. Graft cases against many are dismissed when they go to power. But the graft case against Esrhad is continuing. He has to appear before the court."

"The two parties have been in power and their rules are marked by killings, enforced disappearances and plundering of huge money from banks," Hawlader added.