DHAKA: Jatiya Party Chairman Hussain Muhammad Ershad, who had ruled Bangladesh for nine years since his takeover as military ruler in 1982, expressed his fond hope to be in power with the grand alliance for another eight and a half years.

He came up with his latest grandstanding Friday at a discussion meeting and iftar party at the Diploma Engineers Institute in the city, organized by Chauddagram upazila Jatiya Party to accord reception to newly appointed central committee organizing secretary NHM Shafiqur Rahman.

“The ruling party will be in power for another three and a half years. After that it can stay in power for another 5-year term if it wins the next election. So, it is not the time to say ‘bye’ to politics,” said Ershad, doing a somersault.

He had earlier wished to retire from politics.    

The ex-president called upon his party workers to be united and hoped that his party would be in power again in the future if the organization is bolstered.

Ershad also criticized those who turn iftar party into political meetings in the month of Ramadan.

Jatiya Party’s Chauddagram unit president Abul Kashem presided over the meeting.

BDST: 2124 HRS. SEPTEMBER 3, 2010