JP conflict far from over

Just four days after denying that there was any conflict in Jatiya Party leadership before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, fresh friction between Raushan Ershad and GM Quader was on display.

On December 13, Hasina at a meeting with JP Chief Patron Raushan and Chairman Quader called upon them to resolve their longstanding feud and strengthen the party to join the next national election independently.

JP insiders said the friction was noticed when Raushan, also leader of the opposition in parliament, on Wednesday night was announced the acting chairperson of the party and the decision was postponed a few hours later "due to pressure from the Quader faction".

Leaders close to Raushan made the move following a Supreme Court's ruling that Quader cannot perform responsibilities as JP chairman.

Sources said she was declared the JP acting chairperson as part of the plan to give nomination to JP leaders close to Raushan for contesting the by-polls to seats vacated by six BNP lawmakers on December 10.

The party insiders said the decision of Raushan becoming the acting chairperson was postponed on strategic grounds. This initiative will start again ahead of the by-polls and the national election, they said.

They added that Raushan wants to nominate Ziaul Haque Mridha, Hafizuddin Ahmed, Nurul Islam, and Kazi Mamunur Rahid.

Yesterday, JP Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu, who is loyal to Quader, at a programme came down heavily on those who declared Raushan as the party acting chairperson.

Speaking at a meeting of different associate organisations of JP, he called upon all not to be confused by statements of anyone outside the party.

"There is no reason to be confused by statements of those who are not part of the party. GM Quader became the Jatiya Party chairman through a council. There is no directive in the court's ruling that GM Quader cannot be the chairman of the party. Therefore, there is no reason of declaring anyone as the acting chairman," he added.

At another programme, Raushan said the JP would participate in all elections to be held in future as the party believes in election.

Joining the event virtually, she also asked the party leaders and activists to forget all confusions and differences among them and strengthen the party by maintaining unity.

A conflict between Quader and Raushan, wife of former president and JP founder HM Ershad, started brewing when she suddenly on August 31 convened the party's 10th council for November 26.

Reportedly due to government pressure, Raushan later postponed the council.

Sources at the JP said pro-Raushan faction had planned to oust Quader, younger brother of Ershad, from the party helm in that council and take its control.

Then JP Parliamentary Party on September 1 at a meeting decided to make Quader the opposition leader, dropping Raushan.