Dhaka, Jan 1 (UNB) – Foreseeing his party’s victory in the next national election, Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad on Tuesday said the party will celebrate its next founding anniversary as the ruling party.  

“We aren’t a small party. We’re still a big party as in the past. We’re organised, united and strong,” he said addressing a gathering prior to a rally at Bijoynagar in the capital. 

The party arranged the rally marking its 27th founding anniversary.

Jatiya Party secretary general ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader, its leaders Kazi Zafar Ahmed, Kazi Firoz Rashid and Advocate Salma Islam, MP, among others, addressed the gathering.

The JP chief also reiterated that they will take part in the next parliamentary polls independently.

Claiming that his nearly nine-year regime was better than that of both Awami League and BNP, he said there was peace and development during the rule of Jatiya Party. “We’ll again ensure peace and development in the country if Jatiya Party is voted to power.”

He also claimed that many television talk-show discussants very often term his tenure the best in the country.

Justifying his military-backed rule, Ershad said, “I didn’t forcefully assume power; rather it was bestowed on me when former President Abdus Sattar turned unable to lead the country due to widespread corruption.”   

He said the country’s people are disappointed at the misrule of the chiefs of two major political parties -- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia-- and do not want to see the duo in power again.

Censuring the government for its various misdeeds, the former military ruler said people are being killed and disappeared every day, and a tense situation is prevailing across the country. “Foreigners are not showing willingness (to invest in the country). Banks are in financial crisis.”

Mentioning that it has become common that the government people siphon off money while in power and that come to light after the expiry of their tenures, he claimed that not a single penny was found into any overseas account after his name when he handed over power.

Ershad formally inaugurated the founding anniversary programme of his party by releasing balloons and pigeons amid fanfare and festivity.

Later, a colourful rally, led by the JP chairman, was brought out in the city.