Following a series of conflicts over the January 7 election, the Jatiya Party (JaPa) has now entered another spell of crisis after the Raushan Ershad-led faction announced the party’s next council on Sunday.
JaPa Chief Patron Raushan Ershad, who earlier declared herself its chairman, told a press conference at her Gulshan residence in the capital that the party's national council will be held on March 9.
She previously announced the same date on February 12, with her faction set to hold an extended meeting at the auditorium of the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) in the capital on February 24.
Reacting to the developments, JaPa Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu, who is the second-in-command in the JaPa faction headed by its chairman, GM Quader, on Sunday, said they did not plan any council.
“We’re not worried if or not any outsider announces a council,” he told reporters at the JaPa chairman’s Banani office.
Stating that the party has four to five factions, he said: “There are Manju Group, Kathal Group, Cycle Group, and Moi Group in the party. Another group may emerge indeed.”
Chunnul, also the opposition whip at the House, went on to say: “The party led by GM Quader, whose registration number is 12, is the right one.
“We’ve always said our council will be held on time,” he added.
While announcing the council date earlier on Sunday, Raushan said the main area of practising democracy in a political party is holding the regular national council of the party.
“The term of organising the party’s council has expired long ago... As per the demands of the leaders and workers of the party, I am announcing to hold the 10th council of the Jatiyo Party in March,” she said.
To ensure the successful completion of the event, Raushan mentioned the formation of a council implementation committee, with Kazi Feroz Rashid as the convener, Syed Abu Hossain Babla as the co-convener, Golam Sarwar Milon as the joint convener, and Safiqul Islam Sentu as the member secretary.
Ahead of the January 7 election, a new split emerged in the party over the nominations of party candidates to contest the national polls.
Raushan, the then opposition leader, did not participate in the election due to a disagreement with her brother-in-law and party chief, GM Quader.
The party also, reportedly, did not nominate any leaders loyal to Raushan.
In the circumstances, Raushan expressed her determination to restore strength to the Jatiya Party through a successful council.
Meanwhile, Chunnu told the media on Sunday that GM Quader relieved the party’s co-chairman, Syed Abu Hossain Babla, from the party, apparently for lending his support to Raushan.
GM Quader also removed some senior leaders, including Kazi Firoz Rashid, from the party earlier.
On January 28, Raushan declared herself the chairman of the party, relieving GM Quader and Chunnu from their posts amid growing resentment among the party rank and file over its debacle in this month’s parliamentary election.
Despite the tension within the party, GM Quader on February 3 said that he was not concerned about the party splitting.
“At this moment, I do not see the possibility of the party splitting. Anyone can form another ten parties with the name and ideals of Hussain Muhammad Ershad (the founder of JaPa),” he added.