Former Jatiya Party (JP) secretary general Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu has been relieved of his duties in the party, JP chairman HM Ershad announced at an emergency press conference on Tuesday.
Ruhul Amin Hawlader has been installed as the new secretary general of the party, Ershad told reporters at the party's Banani office around 2pm.
Despite a series of recent reshuffles in the party, the former army strongman denied that his party was facing a leadership crisis. “Impossible. No one can split the party.”
Ershad briefs media at the party office on Tuesday Photo: Focus Bangla
“When I made Anisul Islam Mahmud and Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu acting chairman and secretary general , respectively, no one raised any questions.
Also Read: Bablu: Raushan to lead Jatiya Party
“Why are questions being raised now? Bablu failed to hold a council during his time as secretary general. He failed to carry out his role. So I am relieving him from the post and appointing Ruhul Amin Hawlader as secretary general for the sake of the party,” Ershad said amid cheers from supporters.
He said the reshuffle was within the purview of his role, adding: “All decisions will be approved in the party council.”
Erhsad said he would join the party's parliamentary meeting.
Ershad said the party council would be held by April. “Before every national council, there is a preparation committee for the council. Last time, Kazi Zafar was the convener and Ruhul Amin Hawlader was member secretary. This year Hawlader will be member secretary of the council. GM Quader will be the council's convener.”
The flurry of activity exposed a leadership struggle in the party.
On Sunday night, Ershad announced that his borther GM Quader was the new co-chairman of the party.
The very next day, Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu announced Rawshan Ershad as the party's acting chairperson.
In reaction, Ershad said Bablu's announcement was “completely illegal since only the chairman can call up a presidium member.”
Regarding GM Quader, Ershad said: “He will do what I say.”
“I have no quarrel with Rawshan Ershad,” the JP boss said, referring to his wife.
Rawshan's expected response
Party presidium member Rawshan Ershad has called a meeting of the JP parliamentary party at 3pm in the parliament building, State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque told the Dhaka Tribune.
