JP stands on brink of yet another split

The Jatiya Party (JP) stands on the brink of yet another split, which is its seventh since the fall of founder Hussain Muhammad Ershad's regime in 1990 as Chairman Golam Mohammad Quader, younger brother of Ershad, confronts mounting internal dissent over his authoritarian control.

The conflict intensified ahead of the party's proposed 10th council. Initially scheduled for June 28 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, the council was postponed by GM Quader on June 16 citing venue unavailability. Defying this, a faction of senior leaders declared the council would proceed in front of the party's Kakrail office on the original date. Co-Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud announced a leadership panel naming himself as Chairman and Ruhul Amin Howlader as Secretary General.

The revolt includes heavyweights previously aligned with Rowshan Ershad or ousted by GM Quader such as Kazi Firoz Rashid, Syed Abu Hossain (Babla), Abdus Sattar and Kazi Mamunur Rashid. To thwart the council, GM Quader's loyalists called for a rally outside the party office on June 28. In response, the reformist bloc refrained from holding the council that day opting instead to apply internal pressure for a revised date.

Insiders say Anisul is the reformists' pick for Chairman, with Ruhul Amin as Secretary General, Chunnu as Executive Chairman and Firoz Rashid as Senior Co-Chairman. There are efforts to re-integrate breakaway leaders, including Anwar Hossain Manju as chief patron marking an attempt at consolidating splintered factions under one leadership.

Central to the reform agenda is the demand to amend Article 20(a) of the party constitution, which currently vests sweeping powers in the Chairman to appoint or remove any office-bearer unilaterally. Termed 'autocratic' by critics, this clause has been in effect since Ershad's era. "I demanded the correction of that article in the June 20 meeting," said Chunnu. "It needs democratization. The majority of party members support it."

JP presidium member Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary dismissed the reformists as a "B-group" and added, "They have postponed their council. I don't think they can challenge GM Quader or take any drastic steps." 

Regarding constitutional reform he said, "A committee has been formed to review it and it will be discussed in the presidium." Chunnu confirmed the committee formation and outlined two amendment procedures stating, "One is through the committee's report to the presidium and the other is any delegate may propose changes during the council. It depends entirely on the council."

Despite its nominal role as opposition, Jatiya Party was part of the Awami League-led government across three terms and has since acquired the label of a 'domesticated opposition'. The party was notably excluded from talks with the interim government following the August 5 uprising. Leaders and activists have been attacked across the country and several cases have been filed against GM Quader and others. Sources suggest his leadership may pose a liability in future elections. So, they want such reforms.

Chunnu however, downplayed fears of a formal split and claimed, "Barrister Anisul said they would propose a panel. Giving a panel is not the same as breaking the party. GM Quader will also propose a panel including my name or anybody else, it is up to the council to elect."

But on the issue of the next council date, Chunnu indicated to GM Quader as the party chair didn't discuss about new date till date. Patwary asserted that the date will be finalized at 'any of the next' presidium meetings once a secured venue is confirmed.

Jatiya Party has undergone multiple schisms in its history. The first split occurred in 1990 when Secretary General Dr MA Matin and several MPs rejected Ershad's leadership. Further divisions followed in 1997, 1998, 2001, 2013 and most recently in 2024 under Rowshan Ershad's leadership. 

The party sources think, GM Quader's arrogance will lead further deterioration of the situation.