Jatiya Party extends nomination deadline to 'woo pro-Raushan leaders'

The Jatiya Party has extended the nomination paper collection deadline by one more day till Friday to draw followers of the party's chief patron Raushan Ershad towards the next national election, according to insiders.

Despite Mujibul Haque Chunnu, secretary-general of the party, asserting that there is no "division" within the party, as of Thursday, no supporter of Raushan has collected the nomination form. So far, the party has sold 1,737 nomination forms.

Leaders within the party reveal that reconciliation between Raushan Ershad, the wife of the party's founder Hussain Muhammad Ershad, and GM Quader, the party chairman and brother of Ershad, has not been achieved yet. As a result, the Jatiya Party has extended the deadline by an additional day.

Leaders aligned with Raushan complain they are being sidelined within the party. They are yet to decide whether to collect the nomination forms. 

Additionally, they allege that some pro-Raushan leaders faced insults and were assaulted when attempting to collect nomination papers.

Golam Masih, political secretary of Raushan Ershad, told The Business Standard that the pro-Raushan leaders were unable to collect nomination papers due to four reasons.

"Many of our leaders were unable to travel from the districts due to the ongoing blockade," he said. "Secondly, the party chairman has already collected nomination papers for the seat of the party founder's son. The nomination paper for the seat of Moshiur Rahman Ranga has also been taken."

"Additionally, expelled party leaders, including Moshiur Rahman Ranga, the opposition chief whip in parliament, have been asked to apologise unconditionally to the party chairman before they can be considered for nomination," Masih continued.

However, central Jatiya Party leaders have denied the allegations.

Mujibul Haque Chunnu dismissed the allegation of assault as baseless and unfounded. He further said the expelled party members have been asked to formally apologise to the party chairman as a prerequisite for their reinstatement and subsequent eligibility to collect nomination forms.

He said the party remains united under the leadership of GM Quader.

"Raushan Ershad is our chief patron and an honourable figure. If she decides to run in the election, we will extend our support to her in every possible way," he said during a media interaction at the party chairperson's office in Banani, Dhaka, on Thursday.

"On 20 November, Raushan Ershad expressed her interest in collecting the nomination form through a phone call. If anyone is designated to collect it, we are prepared to hand over the forms," he told the media.

Addressing the party's stance on the upcoming parliamentary election,     Chunnu said, "The Jatiya Party is proceeding with its own political agenda, and the decision to participate in the election was a collective one. We seek an environment conducive to fair elections, and we received assurances from both the Election Commission and various government quarters regarding the fairness of the election. Our delayed decision was contingent on these assurances.

"Jatiya Party intends to contest in all 300 constituencies with its unique symbol (plough), without aligning with any alliance. Politics involves diverse strategies, and we will advance with our own approach."

He also expressed optimism about the potential for dialogue, noting that there is room in the EC's announced schedule to engage in discussions and reach decisions collaboratively.

Sources within the Jatiya Party indicate that GM Quader, the party's chairman, is reluctant to reinstate figures like Moshiur Rahman Ranga, former MP Ziaul Haque Mridha, and several others who were expelled from the party.

Raushan Ershad has steadfastly maintained her position that she will not collect nomination forms unless these expelled leaders are reinstated. She insists that Saad Ershad, her son, be nominated for the Rangpur-3 constituency instead of GM Quader.

On Thursday, Rangpur City Corporation Mayor Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa was appointed co-chairman of the Jatiya Party by GM Quader. This move is seen by some senior party leaders as a strategic step for Quader to compete in the upcoming election for the Rangpur-3 constituency.

Sources indicate that GM Quader is seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the president of the ruling Awami League, to negotiate a resolution in his favour. However, he has yet to secure an appointment.

According to sources, the Awami League's efforts to divide the BNP leaders into the Trinamool BNP and the Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) have largely been unsuccessful. It is believed that the Jatiya Party has received assurances of its status as the main opposition party. Emboldened by this assurance, the Jatiya Party officially announced its participation in the elections on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool BNP has extended the deadline for the sale of nomination papers for the third time. The party's general secretary Taimur Alam Khandaker told TBS, "As of Thursday, we have sold 430 nomination papers. Sales will continue on Friday to accommodate district leaders who could not attend earlier."