JP creates new post for Raushan

In a major change to its charter, main opposition in parliament the Jatiya Party yesterday created a ceremonial post called “chief patron” and picked Raushan Ershad for it.

The party also introduced eight new posts of additional secretary generals and seven new posts of co-chairmen.

The decisions were made at an emergency meeting of the party’s presidium held at JP chairman’s Banani office in the capital yesterday.

After the meeting, JP Secretary General Moshiur Rahman Ranga said Raushan would enjoy the highest honour in all general meetings and other programmes of the party.

Raushan will remain in the post as long as she is alive, he also said.

Ranga, however, said the party’s highest power would remain in the hands of GM Quader and he would preside over all the party meetings.

The changes have been brought in allegedly to pacify a section of party leaders who wanted Raushan to become the chairperson at the ninth council of the party to be held at the city’s Institution of Engineers today.

“Although Raushan madam will hold the party’s number one post, it will be an honourary post,” a JP presidium member told The Daily Star last night.

The party’s existing chairman GM Quader will actually operate the party remaining at its helm, he said.

“Raushan madam will be made the chief patron of the party to give her the highest honour on behalf of the party as she is the wife of our late chairman and the party founder HM Ershad,” SM Faysal Chisty, a JP presidium member, told The Daily Star.

The presidium meeting’s decision to amend the charter is expected to be approved in today’s council, JP insiders said.

According to JP sources, GM Quader and top leaders loyal to him are apparently behind the latest move that was taken to fortify Quader’s leadership through incorporating his rivals.

Anisul Islam Mahmud, Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Ruhul Amin Hawlader, Kazi Feroz Rashid, Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, Salma Islam and Abu Hossain Babla have been picked for the posts of seven co-chairmen.

Of them, Anisul, Chunnu and Hawlader are known to be loyal to Raushan.

Leaders for the posts of eight additional secretary generals will be selected later, party sources said.

“Quader wants to tighten his grip on the party through the council. But Raushan madam can throw a strong challenge at the council,” said a JP presidium member loyal to Raushan.

Raushan could not be reached for comments after several attempts.

After the demise of HM Ershad on July 14, both Raushan and Quader were at loggerheads over who would become the JP chairman and leader of the opposition.

Later, Quader was declared as the JP chairman, an appointment opposed by Raushan’s faction.

Factions of Raushan and GM Quader, after several meetings in September, came to an understanding that Quader would remain the chairperson, while Raushan would be the opposition leader.

Around 12,000 delegates, including 4,000 councillors from 74 organisational districts, are expected to participate in the council where the party’s new leadership would be elected.