Dhaka, Dec 7 (V7N) — Jatiya Party (JaPa) Chairman GM Quader has urged the government to guarantee equal opportunities for all political parties, including JaPa, in the upcoming national election. He said the government must ensure a level playing field in the interest of the country, democracy, and the people.

Speaking at a discussion marking JaPa’s “Constitution Protection Day” at the party’s Kakrail headquarters in Dhaka on Saturday, Quader said that genuine democratic stability is impossible if opposition parties are denied their rightful space in the electoral process.

The day commemorates 6 December 1990, when mass protests forced military ruler and JaPa founder Hussain Muhammad Ershad to step down. While most political parties observe the day as “Democracy Day,” JaPa marks it as “Constitution Protection Day.”

For years, the party has faced criticism for cooperating with the Awami League government and participating in elections under political arrangements with the ruling coalition, often being labeled a “pliant opposition.” However, Quader dismissed this perception, saying JaPa has consistently played a role in defending the constitution and democratic rights. He said the party supported student-led movements during the July uprising and protested authoritarian tendencies in parliament.

Quader, who served as a cabinet minister under the Awami League-led grand alliance, said JaPa had repeatedly voiced concerns against one-party dominance and raised objections to what he described as authoritarian trends during previous parliamentary sessions.

The discussion was presided over by JaPa presidium member Mir Abdus Sabur Asud. Other speakers included presidium members Saifuddin Ahmed Milon, Sherifa Quader, and Md Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan.

END/AJ/SMA/