Jatiya Party (JaPa) chief patron Raushan Ershad has requested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina not to form an alliance with the JaPa faction led by GM Quader, claiming he forcibly took over the party.
Raushan also requested Sheikh Hasina, chief of the ruling Awami League, not to make any seat-sharing agreements with the party, former JaPa secretary general Moshiur Rahman Ranga told reporters at a press briefing after a meeting with the prime minister at Ganabhaban on Tuesday.
Ranga said: "We do not support the actions of GM Quader regarding the upcoming election. He forcibly took over the Jatiya Party, which is why Raushan Ershad has requested the prime minister not to form an alliance with the Jatiya Party.
“The Jatiya Party founder’s wife, son, and two-time secretary general did not receive nominations for the election. So who are they going to contest the election with? We are not with that [faction of] the Jatiya Party. We will not join the polls with them."
He added: "Around 200 to 300 party activists and leaders have been unjustly expelled. Capable candidates have been insulted by not being given nominations. We have requested that there should be no alliance with GM Quader’s Jatiya Party.”
When asked about the prime minister's response, Ranga said: "The prime minister said she will look into the matter."
Kazi Mamunur Rashid, spokesperson for the Raushan Ershad-led JaPa, reiterating that GM Quader illegally took over the Jatiya Party, said: "If there is any talk of an agreement with the Jatiya Party, it should be discussed with us. We do not support GM Quader.”
Earlier at around 1pm, Raushan Ershad visited Ganabhaban to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accompanied by her son Saad Ershad and her political secretary, Golam Masih, lawmaker Moshiur Rahman Ranga and Kazi Mamunur Rashid.
After leaving Ganabhaban, Raushan Ershad answered several questions from journalists.
Regarding participating in the election under the leadership of GM Quader, she said: "The chairman of the Jatiya Party did not treat us well. He is contesting the election in my son's place."
When asked whether they support the current leadership leaders of the Jatiya Party, Raushan replied: "They have intentionally excluded us. Why should there be any support?"
