The Jatiya Party (JaPa), the main opposition in parliament, is currently in a dilemma over whether it should continue with the ruling Awami League-led alliance at the next general election slated for 2023.
In a dramatic turn of events, JaPa Chairman GM Quader on Sunday said the party was no longer in any alliance, although he did not completely discount participating in the next polls alongside the Awami League again.
“If the Awami League does really good work, then we can stay with them as in previous times. But if the Awami League loses the trust of the people, then we cannot stay with them in the future,” said GM Quader at an event.
The JaPa chief’s recent statement drew attention from various political quarters as it followed shortly after the suspension of its presidium member Moshiur Rahman Ranga, also chief whip in parliament for the opposition, from the party.
Senior leaders of the Awami League said there was still plenty of time until the election, and JaPa may join the AL-led alliance at the last moment as it did ahead of the 11th general polls.
JaPa consists of several factions, and the top two are led by JaPa founder HM Ershad’s brother GM Quader and the late founder’s widow Rowshan Ershad. JaPa sources said the current shake-up within the party began when Rowshan, leader of the opposition in parliament, called for a council of the party in Bangkok, where she is currently undergoing treatment.
After Rowshan called for the council and formed a council preparation committee, GM Quader urged the speaker of parliament to remove Rowshan from her parliamentary post. He also suspended Ranga and Ziaul Huq from the party.
Political insiders believe Rowshan has been maintaining a good relationship with the Awami League while GM Quader favours the BNP.
When asked about the remarks of JaPa Chairman Quader regarding political alliances, Awami League Joint General Secretary and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told Dhaka Tribune JaPa was part of the AL-led electoral alliance in both the 2014 and 2018 elections. However, he pointed out, the alliance was strategic and not purely electoral in 2014.
“At the last press conference, our party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cleared our position, saying that our door is open to all,” Mahmud said on Sunday.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader recently said JaPa leader GM Quader will decide which electoral alliance the party will join.
“We have nothing to say about this,” he said.
