DHAKA: Opposition Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad on Tuesday categorically said countrymen do not want to see the two parties (Awami League and BNP) and their top leaders--Hasina and Khaleda--any longer.

“BNP is at its wits end now as they are facing existence crisis. We will take their place and participate in the next general elections to protect people from two parties,” he said.

The special envoy to PM Sheikh Hasina, made the assertion while addressing the introducing meeting of newly elected central members of Chhatra Samaj, student wing of JP, in the city in the afternoon.

The former President of the country said, “They call me an autocrat but they failed to arrange elections even in one educational institution.”

He also urged the party-men to encourage people to join in JP.

Ershad added: “It won’t be tough for us to assume power….We can provide people the peace they are looking for.”

With Chhatra Samaj President M Ifthekhar Ahsan Hasan in the chair, the function was also addressed, among others, by JP secretary general Zia Uddin Ahmed Bablu and student affairs secretary Advocate Abdul Hamid Bhasani.

BDST: 1945 HRS, JUN 24, 2014