PM also leader of opposition party: Bablu
PM also leader of opposition party: Bablu
Jatiya Party Secretary General Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu today ruled out any conflict in the party and defended a group of JP leaders’ discussion with the prime minister over the JP’s internal affairs.
Referring to the four JP leaders’ meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bablu at a press briefing said in the parliamentary democracy, the opposition party is called the shadow government.
“The prime minister is the leader of parliament. She is, therefore, also leader of the opposition party. That’s why we must talk to the premier,” he added.
The press briefing was organised at the JP Chairman HM Ershad’s office at Banani in Dhaka following today’s media reports that four JP leaders called on the PM during a break at Wednesday’s parliament sitting.
Hours after Ershad’s decision to relive them from the party’s presidium post, Moshiur Rahman Ranga, also state minister for LGRD, and Opposition Chief Whip Tajul Islam Chowdhury, informed Hasina about the JP chief’s unilateral decision.
The two other JP presidium members--Kazi Feroz Rashid and Ruhul Amin Hawlader -- were also present at that time. The JP leaders sought the premier’s interference to this end.
Speaking at the media briefing, Bablu however claimed that the four JP leaders did not seek the premier’s intervention regarding JP’s internal affairs.
Asked whether Hasina is controlling JP, he said the question is absurd.
Pointing to relieving Ranga and Tajul from the party’s presidium forum, Bablu said according to JP constitution, the party chief can take any action against the party leader if s/he violates the party constitution.
“The two leaders [Ranga and Tajul] spoke against the party chief,” Bablu said.
He however claimed that there is no division or conflict in the party centering appointment of deputy leader of the opposition in parliament.
Asked about Tajul’s Wednesday’s comment that Ershad is destroying the party by taking autocratic decisions one after another, Bablu said Tajul is a controversial leader.
Talking to reporters at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Tajul today said JP lawmakers have elected him as the opposition chief whip and Raushan Ershad as the leader of the opposition.
“Raushan Ershad is our leader in parliament. All the Jatiya Party lawmakers are united under her leadership,” added Tajul.