Tuesday, July 4 2006 12:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Former Bangladesh president H.M. Ershad has kept his political options open despite overtures from Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, saying that he may even choose to go with the rival opposition alliance in the next polls.

He handed out compliments evenly and criticised both the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), but said he was certain to join one of them since his Jatiya Party did not have the resources to go it alone, reported the Daily Star.

The longest serving head of state who ruled for over eight years has 14 lawmakers in the present Jatiya Sangsad (National Assembly).

His party did not have the financial ability to go it alone in the next general election and so "We have to make electoral alliance with BNP or Awami League" he told a meeting with the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA) in Dhaka.

Ershad took potshots at the ruling alliance alleging that the recent violence in garment, textile and knitwear factories, when close to 300 units were destroyed, was led by a workers' leader close to the BNP. This showed the government's "complicity", he said.

In his assessment, the BNP's popularity had eroded due to hike in prices of essentials while the Awami League's grassroots level cooperation with common people had helped to increase the party's popularity.

Ershad maintained that his meeting with Prime Minister Zia was 'a courtesy call'.