Dhaka: Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad on Friday expressed optimism that his party will prove its popularity through taking part in and winning the upcoming city corporation elections.

‘City corporation elections both in Dhaka and Chittagong are a great opportunity for us. We’ve already announced our candidates to contest the polls. We’ll prove how much we are popular through participating in and winning the elections,’ he said.

Ershad was addressing a reception organised by the Dhaka North unit of his party at a city restaurant marking his 85th birth anniversary.

Taking a swipe at both Awami League and BNP, the JaPa chief said, ‘You (AL and BNP) came to power making promises to people that you would restore democracy in the country. What kind of democracy have you restored? Parliament is not effective. Opposition has no role in the House. What type of democracy is it?’

He also expressed the hope that Jatiya Party will realise its prime dream to form the government through winning over 151 seats in the next national election.

Observing that the country’s people want to get rid of the clutches of Awami League and BNP, Ershad said, ‘We’ll go to power not to rule the people but to serve them. We must bring a change and old good days will come back.’

Later, Ershad celebrated his birthday by cutting a number of cakes which were brought by his party leaders and activists to wish him.

JaPa secretary general Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu and Salma Islam MP also spoke on the occasion.