<div><b><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Jatiya Party (JP) Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu on Monday said his party will contest in 283 constituencies as part of their efforts to make the election more competitive and meaningful.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“We’re participating in the polls overcoming all hurdles. There is no pressure. If there was pressure, other parties would also join. We are a unique party and we have prepared our own roadmap,” he told reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>Regarding the election environment, he said the government is extending support to the Election Commission for a fair election and they remain assured. “Discussion regarding this is underway and it will continue to make the election meaningful.”</div><div><br></div><div>On behalf of the party chairman GM Quader he urged the JP candidates to participate in the polls and they are hopeful that people will work to save democracy and maintain the continuation of the constitution.</div><div><br></div><div>Chunnu said they are giving letters to JP candidates who will contest from 283 constituencies with necessary directives.</div><div><br></div><div>“If we can win maximum number of seats then we will be happy. We will keep fighting. In some areas, there will be some strategies. I don’t want to share now. I won’t share my party’s strategies,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>On Tuesday, Chunnu said they have come forward to join the next national election scheduled for January 7, but not to quit it.</div><div><br></div><div>“I can tell you one thing clearly that the Jatiya Party is here to contest in the polls. The Jatiya Party did not come here to quit,” he told reporters.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, opposition leader and Jatiya Party Chief Patron Raushan Ershad met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at PM’s residence Ganobhaban on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Raushan’s son Rahgir Al Mahi (Saad) Ershad and her spokesperson Kazi Mamunur Rashid accompanied her.</div><div><br></div><div>"During the meeting, a discussion on the next general election was held between the two leaders," PM's Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon said while briefing reporters after the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>The PM reiterated her commitment that the 12th parliamentary election will be free and fair and the people will spontaneously take part in the election by exercising their voting rights, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters after the meeting with PM Hasina, JP leader Raushan said they discussed the current election issues, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked whether the PM said anything about JP’s joining excluding her she said, “No time now, what to say?”</div><div><br></div><div>Raushan said JP chairman GM Quader did not behave well with them and he is contesting in her son’s constituency. “He even did not remember him (Saad).”</div><div><br></div><div>She said they (JP Chairman) dropped us intentionally. “Why should I have support for them?”</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>