Court to hear JP chairman’s petition today
A Dhaka court is set to hold a hearing today on Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader's petition seeking cancellation of its temporary ban on his carrying out party activities.
Judge Md Masudul Haque of the First Joint District Judge's Court issued the ban on October 31 after former JP lawmaker Ziaul Haque Mridha filed a petition seeking an injunction on the matter.
Mridha, also a former adviser to the JP chief, was removed from the party on September 17.
Quader on Tuesday filed the petition with the court, which fixed today for hearing.
The JP chief, who has lately been vocal against the government, suddenly came under pressure following the court's verdict, party insiders said.
JP high-ups were taken aback by the court order. Several leaders loyal to Quader said they thought the government played a role in putting him under pressure for his recent anti-government statements.
The JP chairman didn't take part in any party activities since the court issued the order on October 31.
Party leaders said the situation won't get normal until the court order is revoked.
Asked about today's hearing, Quader's lawyer Sheikh Muhammed Serajul Islam said the case filed by Mridha was based on fabricated information. It was designed to "harass and defame" his client.
JP Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu told the media that such a bar on a political party chief "cannot be valid".
"There is no such precedence. We have appealed to the court seeking revocation of its order. We hope the order will be cancelled. Otherwise, we will move the High Court," he added.
Meanwhile, Joint District Judge Masudul Haque on Tuesday served a show-cause notice to Quader in another case filed with the same Dhaka court.
Opposition Chief Whip Mashiur Rahman Ranga, who was removed from the JP on September 14, filed the case on October 28.
In this case, the JP chief was asked to explain in 15 days why he would not be barred from taking decisions about the party.
Court sources said Quader has sought time to give his explanations. The court will hold next hearing on the case on January 2 next year.
Both Mridha and Ranga filed separate cases seeking court orders announcing Quader's holding of the JP chairman post illegal.
Quader was made the party chairman on April 6, 2019, after its founder and former president HM Ershad fell sick.
Angered by the JP chief's recent sharp criticism of the government, AL high-ups are allegedly backing Raushan Ershad to put pressure on him.
Raushan, the chief patron of the party, all of a sudden, on August 31 convened its 10th national council on November 26.
Sources at the JP told The Daily Star that pro-Raushan group planned to remove Quader from the party's helm in the council and take control of the organisation.
Conflict between the two factions intensified as the Jatiya Party Parliamentary Party on September 1 decided to remove Raushan from the post of the leader of the opposition in parliament and make Quader the opposition leader.
The JP chief is now the deputy leader of the opposition.
After that meeting, a letter signed by Ranga was submitted to the Speaker in this regard.
The JP lawmaker on September 20 again wrote to the Speaker saying that he would withdraw the previous letter.
The opposition party now has 26 lawmakers. All but three to four of them are reportedly loyal to Quader.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury is yet to announce any decision on making Quader the leader of the opposition.
Meantime, JP leaders on October 30 decided to boycott the ongoing parliament session until Quader is made the opposition leader.
A day after, the JP backtracked on its decision saying it received an assurance from the Speaker in this regard.
Sources close to Raushan said the government high-ups changed their stance due to Quader-led faction's decision on boycotting parliament.
Raushan later postponed the council.
Feud between Raushan and Quader broke out over taking the helm of the party after HM Ershad became sick in early 2019.
The conflict worsened following the death of Ershad in July that year.
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