Jatiyo Party leaders and activists have long been trying to establish an identity as a political entity that believes in elections, and that activism through the parliament is a more gentleman-like approach, unlike the BNP and others that made their voices heard from the streets. However, most of these leaders and activists have fallen into a dungeon of despair, when its Chairman GM Quader at the last moment took a U-turn (from his powerful anti-government stance) and sealed a seat-sharing arrangement with the ruling party in the 12th National Elections.
Although the party had pinned candidates in around 280 seats, news of the favoured 26 candidates (opposing no Awami League candidates) had demoralized every other contestant and activist of the Jatiyo Party. To make matters worse, only 11 of the 26 made it to parliament, leaving behind Quader’s spouse and two nephews who lost against independent candidates. Since then, a few leaders have been expelled for protesting Quader’s apparent “selfishness”, while dedicated activists were seen to have resigned from the party.
Following the aforementioned events, Jatiyo Party Chief Patron Rowshan Ershad expelled Quader and his Secretary General Mujibul Hoque Chunnu from their respective posts, declaring herself as chairman. This piece seeks to opine on the question of legitimacy behind Rowshan’s action and reflects on her role in the party.
Rowshan Ershad has always been known to have been vehemently in favour of elections. There were instances in the past when her late husband and founding chairman of the party HM Ershad intended (and ordered party men accordingly) to boycott elections, when Rowshan would nevertheless participate and receive support from her set of followers within the party. In the elections of 2014 and 2018, some perceived her role as parliamentary leader of the opposition was the direct result of the ruling Awami League’s support towards her, in contrast to HM Ershad’s choice. Hence, Rowshan’s feud with Quader -- also her brother-in-law -- was well expected when the latter took command of the party, even though the former was honoured with an ornamental party post.
Dissecting the party constitution
The party constitution recognizes Rowshan Ershad as one of the founders of the Jatiyo Party. It also mentions the position of “chief patron” -- a post that entails no authority or decision-making power, and one that Rowshan is placed at. Article 20(1) of the party constitution mentions that the decorative post of chief patron in protocol is senior to the chairman and, therefore, seating arrangements must be made accordingly on occasions when the chief patron is going to be present, alongside the chairman. The article further clarifies that the chairman, upon making decisions, is not bound to, but may consult the chief patron on any matter, only if he deems fit. On the other hand, Article 20(2) mentions that the chairman of the party is the highest decision-making official of the party, who can create or dissolve any party post -- meaning, technically, Quader can even remove both Rowshan from the party, and dissolve the designation of Chief Patron altogether.
Quader’s apparent recent expulsion from his post (as the chairman) by Rowshan Ershad is out of the question, as Article 37 of the party constitution elucidates the processes of removal of the party chairman. The article states that the members of the presidium (highest decision-making forum of the party) must propose a special party council session, solely with the agenda of the chairman's removal. Provided a two-thirds majority is in favor of such removal, only then may the chairman be replaced by a presidium member (elected from amongst the presidium members) temporarily as acting chairman, until the next party council is in session.
Therefore, until Quader voluntarily submits a resignation letter at a meeting of the presidium members in accordance with Article 36 of the party constitution, Rowshan’s voice, as the new so-called chairman or otherwise, is nothing but one crying in the wilderness.
Why the trust in Rowshan?
Quader, prior to the polls, had from time to time delivered strong words against the ruling Awami League, which had drawn public attention. Had he not eventually been in line with them, Rowshan would have been “asked” to lead the Jatiyo Party in the parliament, like in the past. Although Quader’s agreement on joining the polls with a poor bargain meant that Rowshan was no more in need of the Awami League (hence her non-participation in the elections), she has now undoubtedly become an umbrella, under which the bleeding heart party leaders and activists have chosen to take shelter and refrained from being scattered. She is considered a party flag-bearer by many, perhaps due to associations with her late husband, her age, and her experience with Jatiyo Party politics since its inception.
Quader’s likely aspiration
While Jatiyo Party is registered with the election commission, which acknowledges Quader’s position, it is notable how his faction has welcomed the possibility of a new party by “anyone” (implying Rowshan and her devotees), and said that they would have no objection and possess no authority to bar such an initiative in the spirit of democracy. It is, in fact, in Quader’s best interests if Rowshan creates another party like a “Trinomool Jatiyo Party” or “Jatiyo Party (Rowshan).” That way, Quader would be left with his men in the Jatiyo Party, and he would receive more than satisfactory votes in the next council, reinstating him as the Chairman of the Jatiyo Party.
Advocate Saquib Rahman is a political analyst and Editor of Progress Magazine. He teaches law at North South University and is the former International Affairs Secretary, Jatiyo Party.
