Raushan opposition leader in JS, GM Quader deputy

Ending weeklong series of drama and tension in the main opposition party in parliament, Jatiya Party senior co-chairman Raushan Ershad has been made Leader of the Opposition while its chairman GM Quader as deputy leader of the opposition.

The parliament secretariat today published a gazette recognising Raushan and Quader as opposition leader and deputy leader of the opposition respectively following Speaker Sharmin Chaudhury’s consent.

As per the understanding between Raushan and Quader faction on Saturday night, the JP chairman on Sunday sent a letter to the Speaker requesting her to make him deputy opposition leader and Raushan, the opposition leader.

Earlier on Sunday, the Jatiya Party Parliamentary Party in its meeting formally selected Raushan as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.

The weeklong drama and tension in post-Ershad JP intensified on September 3, the day, GM Quader sent a letter to the Speaker, requesting her to make him the Leader of the Opposition.

He claimed that 15 JP lawmakers backed him for the post. The JP has 25 lawmakers.

The following day, Raushan, also deputy leader of the opposition, sent another letter to the Speaker, urging her not to accept Quader’s request.

On September 5, Raushan was declared JP chairperson as the rift between her and GM Quader over the party leadership and post of Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad deepens.

Flanked by a section of JP leaders and MPs, senior presidium member Anisul Islam Mahmud, also a lawmaker, made the announcement at a press conference in Raushan’s Gulshan residence.

Raushan, who was present there, said JP leaders were worried about the party. “They also fear that the party is going to split up like it did in the past. But I want to run the party together, with all.”

The announcement exposes the turmoil in JP sans HM Ershad, who died on July 14 after prolonged bouts of illness.

Hours after the Raushan faction’s press conference, Quader held a briefing at the party’s Banani office and said action would be taken against those who declared Raushan the JP chief.

He said that according to the party charter, he is still the chairman.

On July 18, JP Secretary General Moshiur Rahman Ranga formally announced that Quader was the JP chairman.

Four days later, Raushan in a statement said Quader could not be declared the chairman without any decision made at party forums. She said she did not accept Quader as the chairman.

On September 7, the two feuding factions of Jatiya Party patched things up and decided that party Chairman GM Quader would remain in his post and Raushan Ershad would become the Leader of the Opposition in parliament.

Representatives of the two factions met at a city hotel to reach an understanding.

Meanwhile, Quader yesterday at a press conference at his Banani office said there is no division in JP at present as the JP leaders and activists are working united to strengthen the party to go to power.