They are frustrated with Awami League and BNP as both the parties have failed to fulfil their aspirations. They are now looking for an alternative, he told a public meeting held at Chharan High School ground in Barobala union under Mithapaukur upazila, organised by JP.

The people were happier during JP rule than they are now. Jatiya Party is the only alternative now, he said.

He bitterly criticised the government for its failure to contain the price hike of essentials. The government has no control on the market because most of ruling party men are being benefited from the high prices, he alleged.

"The middle class and lower middle class people have been virtually ruined under the BNP-Jamaat rule, let alone the poor and the landless day labourers."

Corruption has become deep rooted under the alliance government. It is shameful that Bangladesh has been branded by Transparency International (TI) as the most corrupt country for the fifth consecutive term, the former president said.

Ershad said the flood affected people in the monga-hit areas in northern districts are passing days without food but the government seems indifferent to the situation.

The meeting, presided over by JP lawmaker Shah Solaiman Fakir, was addressed by, among others, Asaduzzaman, Subal Mohanta, Saifur Rahman and Rangpur Municipality Chairman Abdur Rouf Manik.