Ershad for combating Islamic militants

"There is no alternative to Jatiya Party in freeing the country and the nation from the suffocating situation" there had not been any rise of militancy during the rule of Jatiya Party," he said addressing election campaign meetings in support of party candidate Abdul Malek Sarkar for the Dinajpur-1 by-election.

Ershad said although there would be no change of government on the results of Dinajpur by-election, but if the Jatiya Party wins the election it will signify protest against the government.

Referring to the prevailing situation, he said the administrative system has weakened throughout the country and the people have no security while the price hike of essentials aggravated the misery of the people.

The former president said because of the failure of the two major parties, people have "started to rally round the Jatiya Party" remembering the development works during his rule.

Jatiya Party leaders Kazi Jafar Ahmed, ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed MP, Karim Uddin Bharsha MP, Haji Mansur Ali Sarker and Moshiur Rahman Ranga MP also addressed the meetings.