JP threatens to boycott JS until GM Quader made leader of opposition

Jatiya Party has decided to boycott parliament until Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury takes a decision on making JP Chairman GM Quader the leader of the opposition, dropping Raushan Ershad from the post.

JP Parliamentary Party (JPPP) yesterday at a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban came up with the decision as the Speaker is yet to take any decision in this regard, said meeting sources.

A four-member delegation led by JP Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu went to the Speaker's office after yesterday's parliament sitting and informed her about the decision.

JP also issued a press statement in this regard yesterday night.

We sent a letter to Speaker for taking actions in this regard. However, two months have passed and no decision has been taken yet.

— Mujibul Haque Chunnu JP Secretary General

JPPP on September 1 at a meeting decided to remove Raushan from the post and make GM Quader the opposition leader in parliament.

After that meeting, a letter signed by Opposition Chief Whip Mashiur Rahman Ranga was submitted to the Speaker in this regard.

Quader -- also the younger brother of JP founding president HM Ershad -- is currently the deputy leader of the opposition.

Ranga, on September 20, wrote another letter to the Speaker urging her to withdraw the previous letter submitted on September 1.

On August 31, JP chief patron Raushan -- widow of Ershad -- convened the party's 10th council which was scheduled on November 26, triggering fresh conflict between Raushan and Quader.

Emerging from yesterday's meeting, Chunnu told reporters that they sent a letter to Speaker for taking actions in this regard. However, two months have passed and no decision has been taken yet, he said. 

"We have been waiting for the Speaker to come up with a decision in this regard for two months but nothing happened. It seems like she has been dillydallying… that's why we decided to boycott the parliament," said a JP lawmaker, wishing anonymity.

Rift between Quader and Raushan elevated as the JP boss on October 28 relieved opposition lawmaker Mashiur Rahman Ranga from the post of opposition chief whip in parliament.

He was also expelled from the party, which created uncertainty regarding his membership in parliament.

Ranga was also relieved from the party's primary membership, implying that he has no connection with JP.

JP Chairman Quader made the decision against Ranga -- for siding with Raushan and criticising Quader -- by exercising the special powers bestowed upon him in the party's charter.

Within two hours of Quader's decision, Raushan in a statement said the JP chief took the decision disobeying parliamentary rules, and used an undemocratic power as the JP chairman.

There are total 26 lawmakers in the parliament from JP. In yesterday's JPPP meeting, 21 of them were present, said JP sources.

Raushan, her son and JP lawmaker Rahgir Almehi Ershad who are currently in Bangkok for Raushan's treatment, were not present at the meeting.

Three other JP lawmakers -- AKM Salim Osman, Rana Mohammad Sohail and Ranga -- were also absent.

According to the JP source, Salim Osman is currently undergoing treatment in Bangkok, while Rana is out of the capital.