"The CEC has to take all the responsibilities for this political stalemate," Ershad told reporters at his Banani party office yesterday adding that the CEC should not get influenced by any person, party or by the power he is holding, rather he should give priority only to the people's wishes.

At one point when the reporters mentioned that people used to call Ershad as 'Biswa Behaya (a great shameless person)' during his rule, the former military dictator smiled and said that his bad reputation had already been removed thanks to the CEC.

On his party's participation in the upcoming polls, the JP chairman said, "JP believes in election. We might go to the election with some alliance through mutual understanding." He, however, reminded that the JP has been taking preparations to contest election as a single party.

When asked why he did not join the four-party alliance after he said he would, Ershad said that he suspended the move for the time being. "I took the decision without discussing it with my party men. But later I came to know that BNP's position was not very strong at the grassroots level and our position would have become worse had we joined the four-party alliance at that time," he said adding that they have been maintaining liaison with both the alliances.

He also denied the report of forming two separate committees to negotiate for joining two alliances.

Regarding his resignation in 1990, Ershad said that honouring the constitution he stepped down to avoid bloodshed and to maintain a peaceful situation in the country.

Jatiya Party leaders Kazi Zafar Ahmed, ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader, Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury, Abul Kashem and Tajul Islam Chowdhury were also present during the briefing.