Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushan Ershad last night termed “undemocratic” party Chairman HM Ershad's decisions to make his brother GM Quader the party's co-chairman and change the party's secretary general.

In a press release, she expressed hope that Ershad would revise his decisions “in the interests of the party's greater unity and making it more organised and strong”.

Raushan also said the issue of making her Jatiya Party acting chairman was not discussed in party's joint meeting held in her residence Monday night.

She claimed that their party has been playing an important role as the opposition in parliament.

It was first reaction of Raushan, also a senior presidium member of the party, since last week's disputes over Jatiya Party leadership.

She said Ershad's decisions over the two important posts were “not in not in accordance with the party principle and undemocratic” as they were taken without discussions with the party's parliamentary party and presidium.

At the same time, she said the confusion over making the party's acting chairman was not correct, as there was no discussion about it at the joint meeting.

On Sunday last, Ershad at a press conference at the party's Rangpur office announced his younger brother GM Quader as the party's co-chairman.

Opposing Ershad's decision, JP presidium member and then secretary general Ziauddin Bablu named Raushan the acting chairman of the party the following day.

Bablu claimed that the decision was taken at a joint meeting of the party's presidium and parliamentary party members at Raushan's residence.

Aggrieved at Bablu's move, Ershad at an emergency press conference at his Banani office on Tuesday removed Bablu as the party secretary general and replaced him with Ruhul Amin Howlader.

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad. Star file photo

ERSHAD TO TALK TO PM BEFORE QUITTING

Ershad yesterday said he would talk to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before giving up as her special envoy.

“I cannot quit the post without talking with the prime minister as she has honoured me with the post. It would be tantamount to showing disrespect to her if I quit without discussing the issue with her,” the JP chief told a programme at his Banani office in the city.

The former military ruler said it would be beneficial for the ruling Awami League if it helped strengthening the JP because if the main opposition party gets stronger, the Jatiya Sangsad would be more effective.

Calling upon the JP lawmakers to clarify the party's stance as the main opposition party, Ershad said: “I feel so sad when party lawmakers conclude their speeches in parliament saying Joy Bangla. Our slogan is Bangladesh Zindabad, not Joy Bangla.”

“Our MPs should not deliver any speech in parliament so that people get confused about our role as the main opposition,” he added.

Pointing to the recent changes in the JP leadership, Ershad said the party found new life through the move.

JP advisory council members, presidium members, and several vice-chairmen were present, among others.