Ershad flies abroad, rifts in JP widen

A crack over the Jatiya Party helm has widened among several top leaders in recent times, especially after HM Ershad decided that his younger brother GM Quader will be the acting chairman in his absence.

Formed in 1986, the Jatiya Party may face a spilt for the fourth time if the battle for leadership further intensifies with Ershad remaining out of the top position for long, said insiders.

Also leader of the opposition in parliament, JP Chairman Ershad yesterday flew to Singapore for “medical checkup”, leaving the rank and file speculating over what lies ahead in the party.

Quader told this newspaper that Ershad is suffering from multiple health complications but liver problem is the serious one. He is also suffering from malnutrition as he couldn't have proper food due to the liver complication.

A JP presidium member, who is close to Ershad, talking to this correspondent admitted that some JP leaders were locked into a brawl recently over who should take the party helm in the absence of ailing Ershad.

Divisions in the JP first emerged in recent times following Ershad's going against JP Parliamentary Party's decision to become part of the Awami League-led grand alliance government.

Just a day after the Parliamentary Party made the decision, Ershad on January 4 announced JP will be the main opposition in parliament with no representation in the new cabinet.

He also said he would act as the leader of the opposition while Quader as deputy leader of the opposition.

Talking to The Daily Star later, a number of senior JP MPs termed Ershad's decision “funny and violation of the party charter.”   

Moreover, several senior presidium members were not comfortable with Quader being appointed deputy leader of the opposition and acting party chief, said another leader.

Wishing anonymity, the leader also said a section of presidium members wanted Senior Co-Chairperson Raushan Ershad as the party chief in the absence of Ershad.

“There are several top leaders who have distanced themselves from GM Quader. Quader Bhai might face challenges from them about his leadership in the party,” a JP lawmaker said.

“Ershad and Quader are not the same. Almost all leaders and activists are loyal to Ershad, but not to Quader.”

Talking to this correspondent, GM Quader yesterday said different leaders might have “different expectations” over the party leadership.

“But HM Ershad has appointed me acting chairman following the party charter and almost all in the party accepted his decision.”

Replying to a question, he further said there could be dissidents in any party regarding any decision. “But we have to consider whether their number is significant.” 

Earlier in December, discords emerged in the party following Ershad's bringing change in the position of second-in-command.

In a sudden move on December 3, the JP chief removed Ruhul Amin Hawlader as secretary general and replaced him with the then state minister for LGRD Moshiur Rahman Ranga. It surprised many at the time.

In less than a week, Ershad made Hawlader his special assistance with the status of “next to party chief”. Within 12 hours, he withdrew his statement regarding Hawlader's appointment, JP sources said. 

The party joined the December 30 parliamentary polls as the key partner of the Grand Alliance and bagged 22 seats. Ershad was elected from Rangpur-3 though he could not carry out any election campaign.

The JP first split in 1999 centring party's then secretary general Anwar Hossain Manju's decision not to quit Sheikh Hasina's cabinet as communications minister.

Manju formed a party of his own, the Jatiya Party (Manju).

In 2000, the party split again as Ershad announced it was quitting the BNP-led alliance. This time, Naziur Rahman Manzur led the breakaway faction.

Before the 2014 national election, several top leaders led by late Kazi Zafar Ahmed left the party and joined the BNP-led 20-party alliance.