GM Quader casts doubts about polls atmosphere

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader has said it  seems that a fair election is not possible under the present circumstances.

He said the government should take initiatives to improve the election atmosphere.

"If the government wants us to, we will discuss the issue in the party forum and put forward a proposal on behalf of the Jatiya Party," Quader said while talking to reporters at the party chairman's office in the capital's Banani yesterday.

Responding to a question from a journalist, the JP chief, also the deputy leader of opposition in parliament, said the Awami League government "lost the people's trust" after staying in power for a long time.

"We respect the court. We are following all court orders. There is a lack of full independence of the judiciary due to some clauses in the constitution. Because of those clauses, the judiciary can be controlled to some extent."

Quader said not only the JP leaders and activists but also the ordinary people are happy with the lifting of the ban on the JP chairman's taking part in party activities.

He said the people are expecting that there would be a "third force" other than the Awami League and the BNP.

"The Jatiya Party is preparing to emerge as that third force in the elections. The party is getting ready to contest elections in 300 parliamentary constituencies," Quader added.

He said the JP is doing politics to remove corruption, misrule, extortion, terrorism and anarchy from the country.

The High Court on Sunday cleared the way for Quader to resume performing his duties as the JP chairman.

It stayed for eight weeks a Dhaka court order that on January 19 prohibited the deputy leader of opposition from joining any party activities.