Mass resignation hits JaPa, Chunnu says 'don't care'

At least 671 leaders of the Jatiyo Party's Dhaka metropolitan unit have resigned, citing grievances against party Chairman GM Quader and General Secretary Mujibul Haque Chunnu.

At least 10,000 leaders of different units will also resign gradually, the JaPa leaders said while announcing their mass resignation at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday. 

JaPa Vice Chairman Md Jahangir Alam Pathan, expelled praesidium member Md Shafiqul Islam Sentu and Sunil Shuvo Roy along with the leaders of different units of Dhaka metropolitan were present at the press conference. 

However, Chunnu told TBS that if someone does not like it, they can leave the party. It is their decision, and they have the right to do so. "If our leadership isn't liked by some, they can go, and it's not a problem for us."

When asked about whether the party's image will be affected, Chunnu said that it is not linked to the party's image. "People will resign, others will join; it's natural. Who's in the party and who's not doesn't matter much."

Several senior and grassroots-level leaders of the Jatiya Party have been expelled for publicly criticising GM Quader and Chunnu for the party's significant losses in the 7 January elections.

On 22 January, Rowshan Ershad called upon all party leaders and activists to unite for the party's greater good. She expressed deep regret over the division among party members. 

She urged the party chairman and other central leaders to promptly reinstate the expelled leaders for the party's benefit.

New alliance with Ershad's ideals

Jahangir Alam Pathan told The Business Standard, "We tried to reform the party without GM Quader and Chunnu. If it is not possible, we go forward to another alliance with Hossain Mohammad Ershad's ideals."

In a written statement, the party's Vice Chairman Md Jahangir Alam Pathan said, "We, the loyalists of party founder HM Ershad, do not want to witness the destruction of JaPa under the leadership of GM Quader. Therefore, today, we declare mass resignation from the party."

Attributing the party's significant downfall in the 12th national election to the arbitrary actions of the party's top leaders, Jahangir Alam said committed leaders and activists of the Jatiyo Party protested the chairman and general secretary's failures and demanded their resignation.

"Despite the party's dire state, the chairman has been expelling the dedicated leaders one after one, setting a distressing example. His actions seem to be part of a plot to erase the legacy of Palli Bandhu Ershad," he added.

Md Shafiqul Islam Sentu said the GM Quader and Chunnu had fallen into a trap. "Those around him now are getting pigeonholed. He (GM Quader) can't get out of this trap. The thread of this trap is in the hands of the secretary general, and GM Quader is spinning that thread."

He said they want the general secretary to resign. "This party belongs to Ershad, we're under his banner. We won't continue with GM Quader's leadership. We'll follow the ideals of Hussain Muhammad Ershad."

Speaking at the briefing, the party leaders said speaking the truth in the party was discouraged, and those who do so face expulsion. 

'Threat to JaPa's existence' 

Besides, the patry's pro-Rowshan Ershad leaders, expressed concern over the mass resignation and feared that if this continues, the party may soon cease to exist.

Rowshan Ershad's political secretary, Golam Moshi, told TBS that recent events are tragic and signify a failure of leadership. 

"Despite Rowshan Ershad's continuous efforts to organise and maintain unity within the party, the current direction taken by the party chairman and general secretary threatens the party's existence. If this trend persists, the Jatiya Party will cease to exist," he added.