Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary, the newly appointed Secretary General of the Jatiya Party (JaPa), has stated that those expelled from the party for breaching discipline will not be reinstated—no matter who they are. The party will be reorganised with a focus on youth and will work for the welfare of the people under the banner of Ershad’s legacy.
Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary made these remarks in an exclusive interview with Times of Bangladesh on Monday evening after assuming the role of secretary general. He mentioned that Jatiya Party is a major political force, and specific allegations of indiscipline have been raised against several senior leaders in district, upazila, and metropolitan committee meetings – including Mujibul Haque Chunnu.
After reviewing grassroots opinions and resolutions in the Presidium meeting, they were relieved of their positions.
The former additional secretary general of the party also stated that the Jatiya Party will engage in people-centric politics by valuing grassroots decisions and harnessing the energy of the youth.
Shamim Haider Patwary, former MP from Gaibandha-1, said that many have exploited the Jatiya Party for personal gain. Recalling that “Pallibandhu” Hussain Muhammad Ershad founded the party with great dreams, he noted that during Ershad’s lifetime, many manipulated the party chairman and pressured him in various ways.
After Ershad’s death, opportunistic factions became more active, attempting to undermine GM Quader’s leadership, plotting to split the party, and even trying to fragment it – efforts that continue to this day.
Shamim, a former adviser to the late Jatiya Party chairman Hussain Muhammad Ershad, said grassroots leaders and activists have identified many conspirators within the party. After holding meetings, they proposed resolutions for organisational action against them, which Chairman GM Quader has respected.
The young lawyer asserted that the Jatiya Party will reach every doorstep in villages to serve the people, adding that no conspiracies will be tolerated. All plots will be resisted with the support of grassroots activists. Those expelled from the party have lost the right to speak about the Jatiya Party – any actions they take will be deemed conspiracies, and conspirators never succeed.
Many who once worked with Ershad in the Jatiya Party – including founding leaders like Anisul Islam Mahmud, ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, Kazi Firoz Rashid, Syed Abu Hossain Babla, Moshiur Rahman Ranga, and Shafiqul Islam Sentu – have either lost influence or been expelled. Tensions over their roles in the party persist to this day.