Amid growing resentment among the party ranks and file over its debacle in this month’s parliamentary election, Jatiya Party (JaPa) Chief Patron Raushan Ershad on Sunday declared herself as the Chairman of the party, relieving the current party chief and secretary general from their posts.
She also appointed Jatiya Party Presidium Member Kazi Mamunur Rashid as the party’s Secretary General.
Raushan made the decision at a views-exchange meeting at her Gulshan residence with a section of the party leaders who were relieved or voluntarily resigned from the party recently.
“According to Article 20-1 of the party's constitution, I have relieved GM Quader and Mujibul Haque Chunnu from the posts of party chairman and secretary general, respectively, at the request of the party leaders and workers to overcome the ongoing crisis (within the party)," she said.
Raushan, the widow of party founder HM Ershad and sister-in-law of GM Quader, said she also took charge of the party chairman at the request of party leaders and followers.
She said Kazi Mamunur Rashid will work as the JaPa Secretary General and carry out its organisational activities until the party’s next council meeting.
Raushan told she took the move as she cannot allow the party to suffer as GM Quader and Mujibul Haque have caused serious damage to the party.
She remarked those party leaders who were expelled and relieved of their posts would be reinstated and the party national council would be convened at the right time.
However, Chunnu, at a press conference, said they are least bothered about the baseless move taken by Raushan as she has no authority to make such decisions.
“As per our party constitution, she has no power to take the decisions of becoming its chairman or dismissing anyone from any post,” he said.
Chunnu said Raushan announced the expulsion of GM Quader earlier thrice and later withdrew her announcements.
“So, we’re not taking it into our consideration. It has no basis. She (Raushan) has no such power in the constitution,” Chunnu remarked.
GM Quader made opposition leader in JS
Meanwhile, the former JaPa chairman GM Quader, has been made Leader of the opposition in parliament while Anisul Islam Mahmud has been made the deputy opposition leader.
The parliament secretariat issued a gazette notification in this regard on Sunday.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury recognised GM Quader as opposition leader and Anisul Islam Mahmud as the deputy opposition leader in parliament, according to the gazette.
