Jatiya Party (JaPa), founded by late President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, has been fragmented into multiple factions. When a national election approaches, internal conflict and splits plague the party. Now, an initiative has begun to resolve all disputes and bring everyone under one umbrella.
However, this effort is facing direct opposition from party chairman GM Quader, younger brother of HM Ershad.
As a result, uncertainty looms over how successful the attempt at forming a “united Jatiya Party” will be.
Ershad entered politics by assuming the presidency after serving as army chief. On December 6, 1982, he founded the Jatiya Party.
He tried to strengthen his position by drawing members from other established political parties into the JaPa.
However, instead of becoming stronger, the party gradually weakened. It began to fracture while still in power, and since then, the divisions have continued, often led by Ershad’s close associates or family members.
Now, 43 years after its founding, efforts are once again underway to bring all factions under a single banner. A series of meetings are being held under the leadership of Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud.
The aim is to form a united JAPA with leaders from the Raushan Ershad faction, Anwar Hossain Manju’s Jatiya Party (JP), and former senior leaders who were expelled or had resigned. However, GM Quader has objected to the process.
JaPa Senior Co-Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud told The Times of Bangladesh that many senior leaders were expelled from the JaPa or resigned. Now, a significant number are coming together. Discussions have begun in this regard.
Co-Chairman ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader said that a call has been made for greater unity within the JaPa and that it has received wide support.
He accused GM Quader of misusing Article 20(a) of the party’s constitution and claimed that party members want that clause abolished.
JaPa founding member Syed Abu Hossain Babla stated that discussions are underway to bring back leaders like JP Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju and Secretary General Sheikh Shahidul Islam to form a united Jatiya Party.
Kazi Firoz Rashid, executive chairman of the Raushan Ershad-led faction, said the JaPa is not anyone’s personal property. Many contributed to building this party alongside Ershad.
He alleged that GM Quader’s autocratic behaviour has harmed the party and said that everyone is now joining the unity process.
However, GM Quader has made it clear that those who were expelled or left the party are no longer needed. He said the party’s members do not want them back.
JP Secretary General Sheikh Shahidul Islam mentioned that efforts are underway to unite those who left the JaPa.
He said their faction (JP) was invited to a conference, but GM Quader disrupted the initiative.
Several leaders, including Presidium members Md. Soleman Alam, Shafiqul Islam Sentu, and Sunil Shubho Roy, were expelled from the JaPa.
On 25 January 2024, under the leadership of Jahangir Alam Pathan, the JaPa North Dhaka Convenor, 668 members resigned. They are now active in the unity initiative.
JaPa Joint Organising Secretary Bahadur Islam Imtiaz said, “The JaPa is running under GM Quader’s leadership. No other leadership will be accepted.”