Growing resistance by the student activists has stalled the Jatoya Party's move to stage a political comeback before the parliamentary elections.

The filing of cases against ousted President H.M. Ershad. who la also chairman of Jatiya Party, and demands for his transfer to the Central Jail discouraged many JP leaders from taking part in the elections. Speaker Shamsul Huda Chowdhury, former Prime Minister Kazi Zafar Ahmed, former Foreign Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, former Information Minister A.B.M. Golam Mostafa, Former Minister Mahbubur Rahman, and many other top leaders did not file nomination papers on Sunday. But Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, former Prime Minister and acting chairman of the Jatlya Party, filed his nomination and has been making an all-out effort to cheer party colleagues and persuade them to take party in political activities. However, threats by the All-Party Students Unity (APSU) on Saturday to catch Jatiya Party leaders for alleged corruption and abuse of power sent many of them underground. None of

the hiding ministers. except Ruhul Amin Hawlader personally contacted Mizan Chowdhury who denied having any contacts with interned party Chief H.M Ershad.

He told The Daily Star that his party comrades were afraid of taking part in political activities freely He said he himself was receiving frequent anonymous threatening calls and the head office of his pioneer pharmaceuticals Limited has been closed.

yet understand Mizan Chowdhury said: I am a politician and I shall go ahead with my political programme come what may"

Election Commission sources could not confirm the number of Jatiya Party candidates who filed nominations yesterday.

A party source complained that Mtzan Chowdhury had announced the names of many nominees without even consulting them and it was not known how many turned up at the offices of the returning officers.

Jatlya Party top notchers expressed apprehension that despite Mizan Chowdhury's encouragement, candidates would not dare face hostile political activists. who are still celebrating the fall of Ershad.

Despite a clarification by the Interim Government about Mizan Chowdhury’s attempt to secure an interview with the Acting President, the administration has hinted that such a meeting would anger the students. Mizan Chowdhury sought a meeting with the Acting President in order to secure recognition of his party's existence even after the mass upsurge against IL APSU leaders say the political parties and students will not allow this to happen as it would encourage the autocratic forces

Jatlya Party's participation in the polls could change the. election scenario. The electorate appears to be broadly lined up behind Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Awami League and many of the smaller parties are aligning with one or the other of the two main contenders. Jattya party's presence will add a third clement, which may, affect the way votes are split

However, most political analysts firmly see the coming election as a battle between Awami. League and BNP. are the major contenders for power. Jattya party's presence will In no way, affect the election scene, according to the analysts.