Hasanul Haq Inu’s JaSoD splits as he names Shirin general secretary

The Left-wing JaSod, now led by Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, has suffered a split at its national council with a group rebelling against his bid to install Shirin Akhter as general secretary “without a vote”.

Kazi Mobarak Hossainbdnews24.com
Published : 12 March 2016, 05:36 PM
Updated : 9 March 2018, 07:42 PM

Sharif Nurul Ambia, Nazmul Haque Prodhan and Moin Uddin Khan Badal. File Photo

Sharif Nurul Ambia and Nazmul Haque Prodhan MP were named president and general secretary on Saturday by the rebel group which protested against former student leader Shirin's being awarded the position in a manner not approved by the party's constitution, former DUCSU leader Mushtuq Husain told bdnews24.com.

Moin Uddin Khan Badal, MP, made the announcement on behalf of the rebel group as the party was about to close its two-day national council.

Badal has been made the executive president of the new committee.

He said the full-fledged committee would be announced later.

He and his backers complained that the Inu supporters had ignored the norm and sought to “elect” Shirin through a “voice vote”.

The minister’s supporters chanted slogans in favour of the minister and his long-time confidante Shirin as the rebels did their job naming their own committee.

Ambia alleged that he and his associates were assaulted and pushed out of the venue, Kazi Bashir Auditorium, when they demanded balloting.

They later went to the National Press Club to announce the new committee.

Shirin told bdnews24.com the committee had not been announced until 11pm.

She declined to comment on the rebellion saying, “Our election is underway. The results will be announced later. I can’t say anything before that.”

Hasanul Haq Inu and Shirin Akhter. File Photo

About two and a half hours later, her aide Shahina Parvin Babli told bdnews24.com that the councillors of the party had “elected” Inu president and Shirin general secretary.

Born as Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal or JSD in 1972 breaking away from the governing Awami League, the party has split a few times with its several factions still active under different names.

The party, now a partner of Awami League in the 14-party coalition government, organised its last council six years ago.

Soon after the creation of Bangladesh, Chhatra League suffered a split following differences with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s nephew Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani.

The splinter group became JaSoD in 1972 under the leadership of Serajul Alam Khan.

The party called for establishing socialism through an armed revolution. It had an armed wing, ‘Ganabahini’, which was accused of orchestrating violence.

After Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family were assassinated in 1975, Ganabahini’s military leader Colonel Taher rescued army chief Ziaur Rahman from house arrest.

Later, he was sentenced to death by a military tribunal on charges of treason.

During Zia’s rule, JaSoD split up twice.

The party fragmented again during the regime of military dictator H M Ershad in the 1980s, with ASM Abdur Rab and Shahjahan Siraj heading two separate factions.

Abdur Rab became the leader of the opposition after taking part in the 1988 elections that were boycotted by all major political parties.

He later served as a minister from 1996-2001 in the Awami League-led government.

After BNP came to power, Shahjahan Siraj merged his party with it.

Meanwhile, Inu, who became MP after winning elections as a grand alliance nominee with AL's boat as his symbol in 2008, was made minister.