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Jatiya Party to contest elections to free Ershad

DHAKA: Bangladesh's opposition Jatiya Party (JP) on Thursday said it would contest the coming general elections as part of its campaign to free jailed former Bangladeshi president Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

The announcement came as the JP started a seven-hour nationwide mass hunger strike to push its demand, as Ershad reportedly contined his "fast unto death" into a fourth day.

In Dhaka, hunger strikers gathered in front of the downtown Press Club, blocking a major road, while police kept a close watch, witnesses said.

"We will take up plans to free our leader ... his fundamental rights are being infringed as he is not being allowed to guide his party to elections like other party chiefs," said one striking JP leader.

Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, the JP's acting chief, said in comments published on Thursday that "we will contest in the coming general elections to free our leader as we are a pro-polls party with firm believe in democracy."

He added: "the campaign to free our leader will continue along with election campaign."

Chowdhury's comments ended weeks of speculations whether the JP would join the hustings or boycott it.

Chief Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hena is likely to address the nation on Saturday and announce the polls schedule, election commission sources said.-AFP