A few of them, however, strongly opposed the idea at a JP parliamentary party meeting with Ershad, sources said.

JP Presidium Member and brother of the former president, GM Quader, did not attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Naziur Rahman Manzur yesterday paid a visit to the JP chairman and welcomed his ex-boss for the initiative to join the four-party alliance.

Naziur, former secretary general of JP, had formed the BJP when Ershad left the four-party coalition back in April 2001.

At the beginning of the parliamentary party meeting, Ershad briefed his party lawmakers on his move to side with the ruling BNP, said meeting sources.

Three of the lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction at it while the others said they will support whatever decision Ershad might have to take, added the sources.

JP Deputy Leader in Parliament TIM Fazle Rabbi and two other lawmakers objected to JP teaming up with the ruling alliance as they said they believe the BNP-Jamaat will surely get a drubbing in the next election for their "misrule, corruption and price hike of essentials".

They said why JP should share the blame for the failures of the present government.

The party should not join any alliance now to keep intact its chance to bargain with the ones who will win the next election, they observed.

At the meeting, senior leader Tajul Islam MP and some other members called for disciplinary action against GM Quader for his "anti-party activities".

In reply, Ershad said he will not tolerate anyone opposing him, no matter who he is, sources said.

ERSHAD-NAZIUR MEET
Naziur Rahman Manzur went to President Park, JP chairman's Baridhara residence, at around 1:00pm and stayed there for an hour.

Senior leaders of BJP accompanied him while leaders of JP including Raushan Ershad, Kazi Firoj Rashid, and ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader were present at the meeting.

The meeting sources said Naziur suggested that Ershad ensure all the cases filed against him are disposed of and seal the seat sharing before joining the ruling alliance. He also warned him about ruling coalition partner Jamaat-e-Islami.

However, a party insider said that Naziur met Ershad following a direction from the BNP high command to counteract Jamaat's opposition to the plan for JP coming into the ruling alliance fold.

"I have heard that you are going to join us. I welcome your decision because it will ensure our victory in the next election," a meeting source quoted Naziur as saying to Ershad.

"The four-party alliance will have the edge over others if JP joins us, and I hope you will keep staying with the alliance," he said.

In reply, Ershad said he has not finalised the decision yet. "I am very happy to see you here," he told Naziur and said,"I have placed some conditions to the government and we will continue discussion on those."

Later Ershad and Naziur had an exclusive meeting.

Dismissing the possibility of re-organising Jatiya Party, Naziur Rahman told reporters that they will not get back to JP. "We have only discussed his move to ally with the ruling coalition, and I think it will be a good decision if he joins hands with us."

Ruhul Amin Hawlader, secretary general of JP, told The Daily Star that it was just a courtesy call where the BJP chairman has welcomed Ershad on his possible return to the four-party alliance.