Rangpur: Dropping a hint that a good number of top BNP leaders are going to join his party, Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad on Tuesday said he is ready to welcome them.

‘We’ll welcome if anyone wants to join Jatiya Party willingly. We’ll surely welcome them in our party and nominate them in the next general election if they’re good leaders and competent candidates,’ he said while talking to reporters at the Rangpur Circuit House.

He, however, did not disclose the names of the BNP leaders, saying, ‘Nothing more can be said right now. You’ll be able to know it in the right time.’

About the jailing of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, Ershad said one has to go to jail if wants to do politics. ‘It’s the tradition of politics. I had to go to jail, too.’

He also described BNP’s non-violent movement for the release of its chairperson as a good sign for politics. ‘They haven’t announced any destructive movement yet. This is a good sign for politics.’

Replying to a query, the Jatiya Party chief said the next general election will get acceptability if his party joins it.

He also said they have already finalised candidates for all the 300 constituencies for the next general election.

Jatiya Party Co-chairman GM Quader, presidium member Moshiur Rahman Ranga and Rangpur City Corporation Mayor Mostafizar Rahman were present.