Ershad makes Raushon senior co-chairman of Jatiya Party

The move comes following growing resentment among a section of the leadership over GM Quader, Ershad’s brother, being made the co-chairman.

HM Ershad, who is criticised for changing his decisions all too frequently, announced Raushon’s new appointment during a rally in his home district Rangpur in an effort to quell inner-party feud.

Raushon, who is also the leader of the opposition in Parliament, welcomed the move in a statement, saying, “There was never any split in the party in the past, and there is none at present either. The initiative taken by the chairman will help strengthen and consolidate the party at the grassroots.”

On Jan 17, Ershad at press conference in Rangpur had announced presidium member Quader’s appointment as the co-chairman and declared him to be his heir, triggering protests by the supporters of another presidium member Raushon Ershad.

During the changes, Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, whom Ershad had removed from the post of general secretary, declared Raushon to be the party’s acting chairman.

Ershad and Raushon then exchanged a volley of letters on GM Quader’s appointment as co-chairman and ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader being made the general secretary.

Subsequently, when Ershad fixed the Jatiya Party’s council on May 14, Raushon opposed the move. She held a press conference in parliament house on Apr 24, urging Ershad to adhere to the party’s organisational structure.

File Photo

Within three days, Ershad announced at public rally in Rangpur on Wednesday his wife’s elevation to a post above that of his brother.

“If Raushon becomes a senior co-chairman, there will be more differences within the party and it will become stronger,” he said.

Ershad, who is also the prime minister’s special envoy, expressed his unhappiness over the country’s present law and order situation. “About 11 people are being murdered every day. The bodies of those missing are being retrieved. And the government is unable to give people security in the face of an increasing terrorist threat.”

He also alleged that ruling party supporters had resorted to electoral fraud during the ongoing union council polls.

Upazila Jatiya Party chairman Samsul Alam presided over the meet. State Minister for Local Government Moshiur Rahman Ranga, party whip Shawkat Chowdhury and Upazila Jatiya Party general secretary Abdul Kalam Azad were among those who spoke.