Dhaka: Jatiya Party co-chairman GM Quader on Tuesday said there is a perception among people that their party is part of the government, not the opposition party in parliament.

‘People consider Jatiya Party as part of the government, not as an opposition in parliament. That’s why they’ve voted for ‘boat’ not for ‘plough’ in the municipal polls,’ he said.

He came up with the remarks at a reception at Jatiya Party chairman’s Banani office arranged by Jatiya Sangskritik Party for the party’s newly appointed co-chairman and secretary general Ruhul Amin Hawlader.

Earlier on January 20, party chairman HM Ershad made GM Quader the party’s co-chairman while Ruhul Amin Howlader its secretary general.

GM Quader urged the government to cooperate with their party so that it can work as a true opposition party and thus make parliament more active.

‘An all-party cabinet is not necessary now as there’s no emergency situation in the country. When you (govt) are calling Jatiya Party as an opposition party, give it a chance to play the role of opposition,’ he said.

The Jatiya Party second-in-command said their party wants to earn people’s confidence and trust by working as a real opposition party.  ‘Jatiya Party could not gain people’s trust for remaining as part of the government.’

He alleged that a plot is on to make Jatiya Party unpopular.  ‘Municipal polls have demonstrated how the party is losing public support.’