The ouster of GM Quader from his Jatiya Party post—and as deputy opposition leader in parliament—is the fallout from a feud over who should control the party in the absence of its chairman HM Ershad, party insiders have said.
They said the dispute over the identity of Ershad's successor has been raging for a few years, but it has intensified now, owing to the health of the former military strongman and that he appears to be unable to run the party.
Ershad's wife, Raushan, seems to have won this round—like in the past—successfully blocking the chairman's bid to make his younger brother Qauder his successor. "She has regained full control of the party with the latest developments," a party leader, who declined to be named, told UNB.
Since the Jatiya Party chairman holds absolute power to take any party decision, he said Raushan and some senior leaders loyal to her were worried over their future in the party if Quader became Jatiya Party chief after Ershad; this prompted them to influence Ershad to remove Quader from the post of co-chairman and withdraw his announcement that his brother will succeed him.
Some party leaders, close to Raushan, hinted that Jatiya Party Secretary General Moshiur Rahman Ranga might also be replaced by another leader—loyal to Raushan—if he fails to convince Raushan that he will be able to protect her interests.
Ershad, the maverick former military ruler known for frequently changing his decisions, sacked his brother from the party post of co-chairman Friday night. He said, in a statement, that Quader failed to run the party and instead created divisions in it.
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In another statement, on Saturday, Ershad also removed GM Quader from the post of deputy leader and replaced him with Raushan.
With 90-year-old HM Ershad at the helm, Jatiya Party has played the role of the main opposition in parliament since 2014.
Raushan established her control over the party before the 10th parliamentary election, in 2013, taking a stance against Ershad's decision to boycott the general election; and subsequently played the role of leader of the opposition in the House in the last parliament.
However, Ershad regained his control over the party before the December 30 general election and became the leader of the opposition in the current parliament.
Ershad had also picked his brother to run the party, in his absence, on January 1 and appointed Quader as the deputy leader of opposition three days later.
In a similar bid on January 18 of 2016, the Jatiya Party chairman tried to install Quader as his successor by making him as party co-chairman.
However, later, he had to appoint Raushan senior co-chairman because Quader's promotion created serious resentment among influential party leaders.
GM Quader's fall from leadership
Raushan had remained still since Ershad restored his supremacy in the party. "However, she and her followers recently became active again as there has been no sign of improvement in Ershad's falling health condition," said a party presidium member.
He said some senior party leaders—including Anisul Islam Mahmud, Ruhul Amin Howlader, and Mujibul Haque Chunnu—played the main role of convincing Ershad that the party will face splintering and trouble if Quader is not removed from leadership.
The Jatiya Party leader also said influential leaders—like Anisul, Ruhul Amin, Chunnu and Kazi Firoz Rashid—were unhappy with Ershad's decision to make Quader deputy opposition leader and acting party chairman.
"The government also wanted Raushan to regain her supremacy in the party since it does not have faith in Quader for some reason," he added.
When contacted, Quader termed the recent move against him mysterious, and he believes his brother was forced to take the actions against him under pressure by some senior party leaders who oppose him.
"I know four-five leaders made the move in their own interests and to harm the party," he said.
Also Read- Ershad makes Rowshan deputy leader of opposition
Quader said he met his brother Saturday night and discussed the matter. "He told me to have patience as everything will be fine in due time."
About Ershad's health condition, he said his brother is still unable to move independently and speak properly as he has been suffering from some health complications.
Jatiya Party presidium member Kazi Firoz Rashid said he was not aware of the reason behind the latest development in the party. "We think our chairman has taken the decision in the interest of the party and we, all the leaders and activists, will accept his decision. I think no one played any role in persuading Ershad to take the decision."
He, however, said Quader did not demonstrate his leadership and play his due role during the general election.
Party Secretary General Moshiur Rahman Ranga, and some other leaders, declined to comment on the matter, while Raushan could not be reached over phone for her comments.
