Own reporter
The Jatiya Party (JAPA) has threatened to boycott the upcoming 13th National Assembly elections if there is no ‘level playing field’. Shamim Haider Patwari, Secretary General of the party has warned to withdraw from the election if the law and order situation in the country is not improved and equal opportunities (level playing field) are ensured for all the parties.
He said this at a press conference on the occasion of official release of the party’s list of final nominees at Lakeshore Hotel in Gulshan on Friday (December 26).
On this day, the list of Japa’s final nominees for parliamentary seats across the country was officially released.
In the press conference, Shamim Haider Patwari said, “Jati Party is always an election-oriented party and we respect public opinion. However, a stable law and order situation is the pre-condition for a fair and participatory election. We note that the interim government is facing challenges to ensure equal opportunities for all parties.”
He warned, “If the level playing field is not level and the security situation is not normal, we may decide to withdraw from the elections depending on the situation.”
Highlighting the organizational status of the party, JPA general secretary said, “Our leaders and workers across the country are looking forward to the elections. We have had to struggle in the selection process as there are multiple qualified candidates in many constituencies. Today, we are releasing the final list after a painstaking analysis. We still hope that the government will give the Jatiya Party an equal opportunity to participate in the elections.”
Jatiya Party presidium members Mir Abdus Sabur Asud, SM Abdul Mannan, Mizanur Rahman, Haji Saifuddin Ahmed Milan, Advocate Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan, Sherifa Quader, Mostafizur Rahman Mostak, Alamgir Sikder Lawton and others were present in the press conference.
