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Published : 08 Jul 2025, 09:30 PM
Senior leaders of the Jatiya Party, including sacked co-chairmen and former secretary general, have rejected GM Quader’s decision to remove them, calling it “illegal” and “undemocratic”, and have demanded an immediate party council to resolve the crisis.
Speaking at a press conference at Gulshan’s Howlader Tower on Tuesday afternoon, Anisul Islam Mahmud, along with ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader and Mujibul Haque Chunnu, insisted they remain in their posts and will not leave the party.
Quader removed the trio on Monday, accusing them of violating party discipline following a Jun 28 presidium meeting.
But Anisul claimed the meeting “lacked” quorum and was not convened in accordance with the party’s constitution.
“That presidium meeting on the 28th was not constitutionally called. The decision GM Quader took based on that meeting is entirely illegal,” he said.
“We are still in our positions, and Mujibul Haque Chunnu is the general secretary.”
He questioned the allegations that the group had worked against the party: “We have done nothing against the Jatiya Party.”
According to a statement issued by the party, disciplinary complaints had been raised against the three at a discussion meeting on Jun 25.
Three days later, the presidium decided to take punitive action.
“The party chairman, using powers granted by the constitution, has relieved the three of all party responsibilities, including primary membership,” the statement read. “The order is already in effect.”
Appearing before the media alongside Kazi Firoz Rashid -- a previously expelled leader who now serves as executive chairman of the Jatiya Party’s Raushan Ershad faction -- the ousted leaders declared they would push for a council to resolve “internal disputes”.
‘CALL A COUNCIL NOW’
Anisul urged Quader to call a party council to democratically settle the issues. “We want a united party. There’s still time. Let the council decide who stays and who doesn’t.”
“You [GM Quader] are the party chairman, but the council is the party’s highest authority,” he said.
Speaking to bdnews24.com on Monday night, Anisul said no one can be removed after the announcement of a party council. “Any removal must come from the council. No one can be removed without a show-cause notice.
“Even if the presidium decides something, a show-cause notice is mandatory,” he said.
At the briefing, Anisul explained why no dismissals should be made after the announcement of a council.
“Suppose I declare myself a candidate -- then the chairman removes me. In that case, no one can ever run for office, and no election can happen,” he said.
“Anyone who runs will simply be expelled. So the whole process, the entire decision, is unlawful.”
He reaffirmed their position, saying: “Our message to the party is, we won’t allow it to fall apart. We’ll force them to call a council.
“There, we will decide together how to strengthen and unify this party for the future.”
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‘3 DEMANDS MUST BE MET’
Anisul listed three key demands from their faction: repeal of article 20/1/“Ka” of the party constitution, greater financial transparency, and wider party unity.
“We’ve done nothing in public that could be interpreted as acting against the party’s interest. We firmly believe we remain in our posts.”
‘HE IS SELF-DECLARED, CHUNNU IS STILL GS’
Anisul also questioned the legitimacy of Shameem Haider Patwary as the new general secretary. “Shameem is self-declared. The only general secretary is Mujibur Haque Chunnu.”
“All of us sitting here are founding members. We have been with this party since the beginning and intend to stay.”
‘LIKE A MILITARY COUP’
Claiming he was appointed acting chairman by HM Ershad before his death, Anisul alleged that GM Quader’s own appointment was “illegitimate”.
“In the dark of night, a dying man [Ershad] was woken up between 11pm and midnight, and his signature was forcibly taken. This was like a military coup. That’s how Quader became acting chairman.
“This is no way to transfer power in a democratic party,” he said. “Quader’s entire approach has been autocratic.”
Responding to possible criticism for not protesting at the time, he said: “We didn’t act then because our party was already under severe pressure from the government.
“HM Ershad was very ill, so we stayed silent for his sake.”
'A LOVE LETTER’
Ruhul Amin, also expelled, mocked the removal letter from Quader. “We received your love letter, Quader Bhai. But this is not the behaviour of a sane politician.”
“You removed us despite our blood, sweat, and toil for this party. You didn’t even keep us as members. Is that political conduct?”
Addressing Quader, he said: “We haven’t expelled you. We don’t want to throw you out. We want to strengthen this party, build unity.”
Recalling his long service in the party, Ruhul said: “Many have been removed from this party through conspiracies. Now we’ve been removed the same way.”
‘YOU CAN RUN A HOUSEHOLD WITH A WIFE, NOT A PARTY’
Firoz, executive chairman of the Raushan Ershad faction, said the party has reached the brink of collapse. “We believe a united Jatiya Party can still serve the nation, but not like this.”
“You’re expelling everyone and staying alone. You can run a company or household with your wife, but you can’t do politics that way.”
Referring to India, he alleged, “Quader had surrendered party control”.
“He returned from India saying he wouldn’t speak without their permission. The day he said that, we lost the party.”
He accused Quader of “insulting” the July Uprising and said: “The man is mentally unstable. You can’t do politics with someone like that.”
‘ONLY REGRET’
Chunnu, recently removed as general secretary, said he worked under Quader with “complete loyalty” for nearly four years.
“I won’t comment on his flaws. But I adjusted to work with him.”
He said Quader never discussed removing him. “If he didn’t like me, he could’ve told me.”
Chunnu also criticised article 20/1/“Ka” of the party’s constitution, which grants sweeping powers to the chairman. “I personally requested him to drop it. It’s an autocratic provision.”
“He promoted 28 people without informing me. I was general secretary. I called it undemocratic. He never changed it.”
