Published : 21 Jun 2025, 07:42 AM
Updated : 28 Aug 2026, 01:22 AM
With the collapse of the Awami League government, the Jatiya Party, already on the back foot in national politics, has descended into fresh turmoil, exposing deep internal divisions over plans for a central council.
Amid growing unease among grassroots supporters, renewed talk of a split is echoing through the party founded by military ruler-turned-politician HM Ershad.
A faction of senior leaders, led by party co-chairmen Anisul Islam Mahmud and Ruhul Amin Howlader, is now seeking to remove Ershad’s brother, GM Quader, from the party’s leadership.
Their stated aim is to distance the party from what they call the “sin” of its cosy ties with the Awami League.
In a parallel effort to reposition the party, these leaders have begun reaching out to breakaway Jatiya Party splinter groups in a bid to form a new united front.
Quader, however, has acknowledged the fresh divisions, saying a new faction is breaking away. “If they leave, the party will be free of disgrace,” he said.
POWER STRUGGLE OVER PARTY COUNCIL
Quader’s faction had originally scheduled the party’s national council for Jun 28 at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre.
However, authorities later refused permission, citing a scheduling conflict with the chief advisor’s programme.
In response, Quader postponed the council. But rival leaders Anisul and Ruhul pressed ahead, announcing plans to hold the event in front of the party’s central office in Kakrail.
They have begun mobilising grassroots leaders, although administrative approval for the new venue is still pending. They remain hopeful of receiving permission by Sunday.
Speaking to bdnews24.com on Friday, Quader said: “Since we didn’t get the venue at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Centre, the June 28th council is suspended. If anyone holds a separate council at a different venue that cannot be considered the Jatiya Party’s official council.”
But Anisul insisted, “The council slates for the 28th of June will go ahead as planned, and it will be a Jatiya Party event. The chairman himself has called for it. We expect to secure all necessary permissions for the Kakrail venue in the coming days.
“The council will take place. Leaders and supporters will join. There is no issue if the chairman attends, no one is stopping him.”
Anisul Islam added that if the council were to be suspended, Quader should have first convened a presidium meeting.
“There’s no reason for division here. We’ve simply changed the venue to our party office grounds. What’s the problem with that? Those citing venue issues are clearly pursuing a different agenda, and our supporters can see that clearly.”
FRESH FACES, OLD FAULT LINES
Leaders aligned with Anisul and Ruhul Amin claim they now enjoy the support of a significant number of the Jatiya Party’s current and former senior figures, as well as local leaders across multiple districts. The response, they say, has been encouraging.
One senior leader told bdnews24.com: “This council is not about removing anyone from leadership. A national council is part of democratic practice in any political party. There is no division here.
“The current chairman may remain in his position, but we want the party to adopt a culture of democracy and collective leadership. That is what our members and supporters are asking for.”
However, many party workers believe that unless there is a change at the top, the Jatiya Party will struggle to remain relevant in the next general election. Quader’s close alignment with the Awami League during its rule has left the party with credibility issues.
Reformers argue that only a new leadership structure, possibly incorporating sidelined veterans, can help restore strength and legitimacy.
The movement to revive the party through an open council is also framed as a bid to free Jatiya Party from its long-standing reputation as a “collaborator of fascists”—a label that reformists say must be cast off before a return to meaningful political activity.
Monirul Quader, a schoolteacher from Mirpur and a party supporter, was blunt.
“Jatiya Party leaders have acted like brokers in three consecutive elections, blindly following the Awami League,” he said. “But the political winds have shifted. To stay relevant, they need to change their face.”
He added, “Article 20 of the party constitution must be amended to dismantle the chairman’s unilateral power. That would signal real reform and an admission that past mistakes are being corrected.”
Anisul Islam agreed. “Amending Article 20(a) of our constitution will allow us to replace the autocratic leadership structure with a democratic one. This is what our grassroots members are asking for.”
Currently, Article 20(a) grants the chairman sweeping authority to appoint or remove any individual from any post. Senior leaders now brand that clause “undemocratic and autocratic”.
Anisul added, “Mr Quader believes he can act alone and decide everything. We want to change that. This council presents a real opportunity to democratise the party. Leadership will be decided there.”
He concluded: “The core issue here is dictatorship. We want it gone from the party. Without internal democracy, talk of national democracy is meaningless.”
QUADER CLAIMS CAMPAIGN TO SIDELINE HIM
GM Quader acknowledges that moves are being made to establish a new leadership structure without him.
“Anisul Islam Mahmud, Ruhul Amin Howlader, and some presidium members are actively reaching out to district leaders, saying things like ‘Join us, your legal troubles will go away, we’ll contest the election, we have an understanding with the government, we’ll even attend the chief advisor’s meetings, and get a few seats.’
“They’re telling people not to worry about GM Quader—he’ll be arrested soon. They’re spreading the message that all this is part of a government-backed plan.”
Quader blamed the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus for orchestrating the push to remove him.
“They’ve failed to eliminate the Jatiya Party entirely, so now their strategy is to minus GM Quader and keep the party as a hollow shell for the coming election.
“Their real aim is to sideline both BNP, Jamaat [e-Islami] and Jatiya Party. Since they couldn’t dismantle us, they’re now trying to erase me from the picture.”
Referring to the party’s history of manipulation by governments, Quader said: “From Ershad’s time to Sheikh Hasina’s rule, we’ve been repeatedly used and crushed. Now under the interim regime, another split is forming. A new faction is clearly breaking away.”
He added, “I believe they’ve effectively formed a separate party. If they leave, the Jatiya Party will be cleansed of dishonour.”
REVIVING THE OLD JATIYA PARTY
Since the July Uprising, the Jatiya Party has been navigating a precarious political landscape. Many within the party believe that only internal democratisation can offer a way out.
Anisul Islam said, “Our council has two key goals. First, to build unity by bringing everyone back into the party—those who are willing to return. Second, to restore democratic practices within the party.”
The reformist faction aims to reach out to figures like Raushan Ershad (widow of founder HM Ershad), Kazi Firoz Rashid, Kazi Mamunur Rashid, Abu Hossain Babla, and Shafiqul Islam Sentu—all of whom left the party during past splits.
“We’ve invited everyone as guests to the council,” said Anisul Islam. “The unity process will begin from there.”
OPPORTUNITY FOR UNITY
Mamunur, secretary general of the Raushan-led faction, confirmed they had received an to the Jun 28 council and plan to attend.
“We’ve been calling for unity. We’re working towards reunification. But if GM Quader doesn’t attend, how can unity happen?”
He stressed the importance of democratic reform.
“We want a democratic Jatiya Party. If someone stands in the way of that, refuses to abandon autocratic tendencies, they’ll only hurt themselves.”
Mamun denied being part of any effort to sideline Quader.
“I don’t support excluding anyone. I believe in inclusion. Leadership can be decided at the council—be it Anisul Islam Mahmud, Mr Howlader, GM Quader, or Mujibul Haque Chunnu. We want unity, even with our faction,” he said.
“But if everyone’s not on board, what kind of unity will that be? We’ll need a few more days before making any final judgment.”
