The Jatiya Party (Nationalist) yesterday called for national unity based on Bangladeshi nationalism and Islamic values to consolidate democracy and ensure development of the country, reports UNB.

The call came at the opening session of party's national representative convention chaired by its chairman and former Speaker Shamsul Huda Chowdhury at the Engineers' Institute In the city.

"We believe in the politics of Bangladeshi nationalism and Islamic values." Huda said Inaugurating the convention and urged all like-minded forces to rally round the banner of his party, a splinter of the Jatiya Party of deposed President General Ershad,

This is the first convention of the JP (Nationalist) after a group of leaders deserted the Jatiya Party, now led by Mlzanur Rahman Chowdhury as acting chairman.

JP (Nationalist) secretary general Prof M A Matin. BNDP leader Anwar Zahid, the Muslim League's Jamir All. Gano Forum leader Mostafa Mohsin Mantu. NAP leader Abdul Matin Master and JP (Nationalist) joint-secretary general Nazimuddinn Al-Azad also spoke at the opening session.

Shamsul Huda Chowdhury said he convened the council aiming to forge a greater unity of all nationalist forces to build the nation on the basis of the concept of nationalism to fulfil the aspirations of the people.

He criticised the rule of the BNP for stagnation in the economy and deterioration in social conditions.

In an oblique reference to the present leadership of the Jatiya Party. Huda Chowdhury said former President Ershad might have given money to others but 'We were not given money by anybody."

Chowdhury also brushed aside the speculation that they are being patronised by the . ruling BNP "We have no link with the'BNP ... We do not do

the politics of the BNP."

Prof M A Matin expressed pessimism about the efficacy of the present system of government and suggested a federal system of government for gen uine functioning of democrary political and sociaf stability and balanced development.

BNDP leader Anwar Zahid, speaking on the occasion criticised the BNFs compromising and weak-kneed' policy which, he said, had helped rehabilitate the Awami League and its allied forces in politics.

Criticising the 25-year Friendship Treaty with India which expires in 1996 ^ahid, former Information Minister In the Ershad regime, said India was now trying to Install a puppet government' in Dhaka before 1996 to sign new bonds of slavery with Bangladesh.

Gano forum leader Mostafa Mohsin Mantu said unrest Is prevailing in politics because the major parties are In the race to capture power forgetting their responsibilities towards the people and the nation.