Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad said the 11th general election will be held on time no matter BNP joins it or not.  

The former president was talking to reporters at Rangpur Circuit House yesterday.

Ershad said leaders and activists of BNP can stage protest programmes demanding release of Khaleza Zia, but the demonstration has to be peaceful.

When asked about a rumour that some BNP leaders are going to join JP, Ershad said he also heard about it, but nobody had joined yet.

"If anybody wants to join us, why won't we welcome them?" said the former president. 

“If they are good politicians, we will give them nomination … to contest the next general election…"

The JP chairman said his party has a plan to nominate candidates in all 300 seats.

Asked if the upcoming election will be credible if BNP does not join it, Ershad said his party will take part in the election no matter what.

The polls will be fair and credible, he added.

Moshiur Rahman Ranga, presidium member of JP and State Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, GM Quader, co-chairman of JP, were present, among others.