JaPa drama continues: now Raushan 'dismisses' GM Quader, Chunnu

A power struggle unfolded within the Jatiyo Party (JaPa) on Sunday as its Chief Patron Raushan Ershad announced to "dismiss" party Chairman GM Quader and General Secretary Mujibul Haque Chunnu from their positions, "assuming" the role of the new chairperson.

In response, Chunu called an urgent press conference and blasted Raushan Ershad claiming she has no authority to take such a decision.

"According to Article 20-1 of the party's constitution, I have dismissed GM Quader and Mujibul Haque Chunnu," Raushan said during a view exchange meeting held at her Gulshan residence.

Explaining her sudden decision, Raushan Ershad said, "I cannot allow the party to suffer. JaPa is going through a grievous period, and GM Quader and Chunnu have caused significant damage to the party."

Chunnu at the conference said, "We are not paying any heed to this. She has no such power under the party constitution."

Referring to Raushan's claim that grassroot activists of the party support her decisions, Chunnu said, "Any person can say anything outside of the constitution as they wish. But they have no basis.

"Every party has its own constitution. The Jatiyo Party took part in the Jatiya Sangsad polls. The electoral symbol has been allocated by GM Quader. Therefore, according to the rules of the Election Commission, he is the chairman of the party. And I am the secretary general."

Chunnu said this is not the first time Raushan expelled GM Quader. "This is her third time. She withdrew her previous orders later."

Raushan Ershad also said JaPa Presidium Member Kazi Mamunur Rashid will be the new general secretary of the party. Rashid will manage the organisational activities of the party until the next council meeting of the party.

The event was attended by expelled, exempted, and voluntarily resigned leaders and workers of JaPa, including exempted praesidium members Sunil Shubo Roy, Shafiqul Islam Sentu and Raushan Ershad's spokesperson Kazi Mamunur Rashid.

In another development, GM Quader was appointed the opposition leader in the 12th parliament of the country on the same day.