JP won't quit cabinet now

The Jatiya Party ministers are not resigning from the cabinet now, party's presidium member and Leader of the Opposition Raushan Ershad said yesterday.

She made the comment in reply to a journalist's query while coming out of a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter's office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Asked, Raushan claimed that she did not have any discussion on the issue with the PM.

However, a meeting source, wishing not to be named, told The Daily Star last night that several internal issues of the JP, including the resignations of the ministers and appointment of GM Quader as the co-chair, were discussed.

He would not elaborate any further.

Lately, JP Chairman HM Ershad has repeatedly said the ministers should resign so that the party could play the role of a real opposition party.

Also, GM Quader, after becoming the party co-chair last week, said both Ershad and Raushan had the same opinion on the issue and the duo would seek PM's appointment for further discussions.

THE MEETING

Accompanied by JP Presidium Member and Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud and Opposition Chief Whip Tajul Islam Chowdhury, Raushan entered the PM's office around 5:35pm and came out some 40 minutes later.

Asked, Raushan told reporters that several issues, including development work of the newly formed Mymensingh division, were discussed at the meeting.

Replying to a question, she claimed there was no crisis or division in the JP.

On the appointment of GM Quader as co-chair, she said any change could be made for organisational purposes.

However, a JP leader, present at the meeting, told The Daily Star that when the PM asked Raushan about the current state of the JP, she said the “unilateral” decision of Ershad to make his brother Quader the co-chair has angered many in the party ranks.

He also said she requested the PM to establish an export processing zone in Mymensingh for creating job opportunities for locals.

On January 17, Ershad suddenly appointed GM Quader as the co-chair, a post that does not exist in the JP charter.

Aggrieved by the announcement, a group of leaders led by JP Secretary General Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu the next day named Raushan as the party's acting chairperson and described Quader's appointment as “undemocratic”.

In a counter move, Ershad removed Bablu as general secretary and appointed JP Presidium Member Ruhul Amin Hawlader to the post.