Jatiya Party: a year without Ershad

The biggest achievement of Jatiya Party in last one year since the demise of party founder HM Ershad is that it has managed to stay united. Although the party did not split formally, there were clear indications of division in it, sources at JP said.

For example, a number of JP leaders said there are divisions between JP chief patron Raushan Ershad, her son Jatiya Party MP Shad Ershad and JP chairman GM Quader.

HM Ershad, the longest serving autocrat, managed to remain a formidable political force, especially in the politics of vote, even after his downfall in 1990.

He passed away on this day last year, at the age of 90.

Ershad, also a military general, usurped state power by removing an elected government in 1982 through a bloodless coup.

He was ousted from power through mass uprising in the late 1990.

Within two months of Ershad's demise, a rift between followers of Raushan and GM Quader became so bitter over the party leadership and post of the Leader of the Opposition in Jatiya Sangsad that followers of Raushan through a press conference in September, 2019 declared her JP chairperson.

Raushan, who was present at the event, said JP leaders were worried about the party. They also fear that the party is going to split like it did in the past. "But I want to run the party together, with all," she said. 

Apart from other leaders and activists, 10 JP presidium members, including five MPs, were present at the conference.

Hours after the Raushan faction's press conference, Quader held a briefing at the party's Banani office and said action would be taken against those who declared Raushan the JP chief.

He said according to the party charter, he is still the chairman. 

Relations between the two worsened further over becoming the Leader of the Opposition. 

But GM Quader in the last one year tackled and resolved most of the divisions, party insiders said. "He has also worked to build a bridge between the two," said a top leader and a presidium member of JP.

Asked, GM Quader said there is no division in the party at present. Everyone is united to materialise the ideals of Ershad.

"Ershad is our role model. Jatiya Party is moving forward following the path he showed us, to fulfil the expectations of people. I believe, the party is on the right track," he said.

Raushan Ershad could not be contacted for comments despite repeated attempts.