Jatiya Party co-chairman Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa said on Saturday that individuals with a clean image and no record of violence or legal cases,聽 even if they previously supported the Awami League, would be considered for party nominations if they join the JP ahead of the national election likely to be held in February next year.
He made the remarks on Saturday in a press briefing following a party workers' gathering at the JP Rangpur district unit office on Central Road in the city.
鈥楾he individuals who support the Awami League but have no legal issues or allegations of violence, we believe that they are qualified candidates. Why won鈥檛 we nominate them if they have a good reputation? The party also prefers to keep such options open to overcome its candidate crisis in some places of the country,鈥� said Mostafa.
He reaffirmed the party's intent to field candidates in all 300 parliamentary constituencies in the upcoming national elections.
He, however, emphasised that the party was willing to endorse stronger candidates even from outside the party if they possessed a clean public image and had no connection to political violence and clashes.
鈥業n places like Faridpur and Gopalganj, where Awami League has a vast majority support, we will nominate the individuals with a good track record if they want to join Jatiya Party,鈥� Mostafa added.
鈥楾he JP is an election-oriented party. It took part in almost all elections except the election held on February 15 [in 1996]. We want a healthy political situation and a level playing field in the country ahead of the upcoming elections,鈥� the JP leader said.
The interim government has banned activities of the Awami League until the trial of its leaders and activities allegedly involved in atrocities during the July mass uprising that led to the ouster of the AL regime. 聽
