JP backs off from polls

Jatiya Party will not take part in the parliament elections scheduled for Jan 5.

Party chief HM Ershad told a news conference on Tuesday that the decision was taken considering that most political parties including those in the Opposition alliance were not taking part.

He said a 'proper environment' did not exist for the polls.

"It's final that we will not go to the polls," said the former military dictator.

But Jatiya Party candidates have already filed nominations for most of the 300 parliament seats on Monday.

Ershad said he had asked party members to withdraw their nominations.

According to the Election Commission, about 1,100 candidates of 15 political parties including the ruling Awami League, Jatiya Party (Ershad), Jatiya Party (Monju), Jatiyatabadi Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) and Workers' Party of Bangladesh filed nominations for the polls slated for Jan 5.

However, the main Opposition BNP and its allies are boycotting the polls, asking it to be held under a non-party government.

"I said that I will not go the polls unless all political parties join. I have kept my promise. Jatiya Party is not going for the elections," Ershad said on Tuesday.

Jatiya Party joined the 'all -party' interim cabinet, where it has six ministers and an advisor enjoying the status of a cabinet minister.

The former military dictator said that since the party in not joining the polls, 'they (ministers and advisor) will also come back'.