Make Quader leader of the opposition
Rift in Jatiya Party widened yesterday as its parliamentary party requested Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury to make Chairman GM Quader the leader of the opposition in Jatiya Sangsad.
Raushan Ershad, chief patron of JP, is the incumbent leader of the opposition and Quader the deputy leader of the opposition.
A delegation of JP, led by party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu MP, submitted a letter to the Speaker in this regard at the latter's office yesterday evening.
Earlier in the day, Jatiya Party Parliamentary Party at a meeting at opposition leader Raushan's office in the parliament decided to make the request to the Speaker, Chunnu told The Daily Star.
Most of the JP lawmakers, except Raushan and her son Rahgir Almahe Ershad, an MP from Rangpur-3, were present at the meeting. Raushan, 81, is now undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bangkok.
The JP has 26 MPs, including four female lawmakers to reserved seats.
Quader's supporters came up with the move yesterday, a day after Raushan convened the party's 10th council on November 26 at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.
Division between the two top JP leaders has been widening in recent years over control of the party.
JP insiders said Raushan's fresh move, influenced by a section of leaders loyal to her, may split the party.
In the letter printed on the pad of the opposition leader's office, Raushan called upon the party leaders and activists to strengthen the organisation.
She urged the tested JP leaders, who had left the party, to return.
The letter was undersigned by Golam Moshi, political secretary of Raushan.
The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify whether the opposition leader issued the letter.
Golam Moshi on Wednesday told this correspondent that three years had passed since the JP held its last council. "That's why madam has convened the party's council."
Moshi alleged that the party was not being run in a disciplined way as its chairman and secretary general were making contradictory statements.
Raushan in the three-page letter also said the party's present role in making people aware of corruption, looting, nepotism and money laundering was very weak.
She named a convening committee, comprising the party secretary general and five co-chairmen, to carry out the council activities and other work.
The five co-chairs are Anisul Islam Mahmud, Ruhul Amin Hawladar, Qazi Firoz Rashid, Abu Hussain Babla and Salma Islam.
Moshi was made member secretary of the committee.
Hours after the issuance of Raushan's letter, the JP said the move was completely "illegal, immoral and unconstitutional".
In a press release on Wednesday, the JP said according to the party's charter, Raushan has no authority to form the convening committee and convene the council.
The leader of the opposition went to Thailand last year after receiving treatment at Combined Military Hospital Dhaka for 84 days for lung complications.
After staying there for six months, she returned home in June and attended the budget session of parliament.
On July 4, Raushan went to Bangkok again for treatment.
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