Own reporter
The Jatiya Party (JAPA), the opposition party to the canceled parliament, has given a ‘clear message’ to the visiting Commonwealth Secretary General that it will not take part in the elections if the ‘false cases’ against the party leaders and the ban on foreign travel are not lifted before the next 13th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.
Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairman of a section of the party, made this demand in a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Bachwe, who was visiting Dhaka on Sunday evening.
Party Chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud, Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Hawladar and Chairman’s Special Envoy for International Affairs and Presidium Member Mashroor Mawla were present on behalf of Japa in the meeting held at a hotel in the capital. The five-member Commonwealth delegation was led by Secretary-General Bachwe.
‘Election environment not created’
Japa chairman told the meeting that there is still no level playing field for the elections, the administration is divided, the ‘mob’ is active in the political situation, the ‘false cases’ filed against the party’s senior leaders have not been withdrawn and the travel ban of some leaders is still in place.
Japa chairman has clearly stated that it is not possible to go to the election without the case and ban on the representative party.
Presidium member Mashroor Mawla claimed that JAPA is ready, but there is no environment.
In a press briefing at the end of the meeting, he said that while the Jatiya Party is always ready to participate in the elections, the Commonwealth Secretary General has been informed that the overall environment is not yet favourable.
