In a new development on Sunday, the crisis-ridden Jatiya Party was officially designated as the opposition in parliament, bringing an end to speculations.
The decision emerged amid speculation regarding the composition of the opposition bench in parliament, given that virtually all parties and nearly every independent candidate who secured victory in the January 7 general election had some connection to the ruling Awami League.
The announcement by Jatiya Sangsad came hours after Raushan Ershad, the party’s chief patron, declared herself as the new chairman, relieving Ghulam Muhammad Quader and secretary general Mujibul Haque Chunnu of their respective posts.
A gazette notification issued by the parliament later in the day confirmed Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury’s appointment of GM Quader and co-chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud as the leader and deputy leader of the opposition in parliament, respectively.
Despite fielding 265 candidates in the recently held general election, the Jatiya Party secured only 11 seats, all from constituencies where the ruling Awami League did not field any candidates.
The Awami League withdrew its candidates in favour of the Jatiya Party in 26 constituencies as part of an electoral agreement.
In constituencies where the Awami League maintained its official candidates, JP candidates faced defeat.
The rift in JP resurfaced on Sunday when Raushan, who did not participate in the January 7 election, stated that she had relieved Quader and Chunnu of their positions in accordance with the party’s constitution.
Raushan announced Kazi Mamunur Rashid, a JP presidium member, as the new secretary general during a view exchange programme held at her residence in Gulshan.
‘I relieved GM Quader and Chunnu of their posts following the 20/1 section of the party constitution at the request of the party leaders and activists,’ she said.
The other leaders of the party would remain in their respective posts, she added.
Chunnu dismissed the decision, arguing that the chief patron lacked the authority to make any crucial party decisions.
In an emergency press conference at the office of the party chairman in Banani, Chunnu said that the position of chief patron is ‘symbolic,’ adding that it was the third time she had relieved them of their posts.
Section 20/1 of the JP constitution places the chief patron above the chairman in the event of their presence at any public meeting.
However, it did not empower the chief patron with any authority.
The chairman will take advice from the chief patron if required, the section said.
The party leaders said that, as per JP’s constitution, the chairman was considered a symbol of unity, solidarity, and dignity.
The ‘special power’ in the constitution gives the chairman authority to form and re-form committees, said JP leaders.
JP chairman GM Quader could not be reached for comment on the latest development.
Co-chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud claimed to New Age that the announcement of Raushan Ershad would not have any impact on the party.
About 90 per cent of JP candidates lost their deposits in the January 7 national polls.
JP relieved its co-chairman, Kazi Firoz Rashid, and presidium member Shunil Suvho Roy, of all posts in the party on January 12.
On Thursday, a total of 671 leaders and activists of the JP’s Dhaka north city and south city units resigned, expressing no confidence in the leadership of GM Quader and Channu.
Chunnu claimed on Sunday that most of the people who resigned recently had no formal ties to the party.
‘We will call a meeting with the presidium members and executive committee, where we will analyse our election and politics. The Jatiya Party is united under the leadership of GM Quader,’ he said.
New Age
