Jatiya Party, the main opposition party in the National Parliament, seems to face another split.
The party, which experienced splits in several times in the past, has almost become divided in two more parts due to conflict between the opposition leader in the parliament, Raushan Ershad, the wife of the party's founder late HM Ershad, and the chairman of the party GM Quader, the younger brother of Ershad.
As part of the conflict, being the chief patron of the Jatiya Party, Raushan Ershad, who is also the opposition leader in the Parliament, on Wednesday, all on a sudden called for the 10th council of the party on November 26 at the Institution of Engineers in Dhaka.
Raushan, who is currently under treatment in Bangkok, called the council at a time when the rift over taking leadership of the party between Raushan herself and JP Chairman GM Quader has grown in the recent months.
According to JP sources, Raushan's recent action, supported by a group of JP leaders who are loyal to her, might split the opposition party unless the two sides reach an agreement.
In the letter pad of the opposition leader's office, Raushan called upon the party leaders and activists to make the party strong and united.
Raushan called upon the party's tested young and new generation leaders and activists to return to the Jatiya Party who have left the organisation in the past. The letter was signed by Golam Moshi, her political secretary.
Golam Moshi told journalists that three years have already passed since the last council of the party was held. That's why Raushan Ershad has convened the party's overdue council.
GM Quader, chairman of the JP, and Mujibul Haque Chunnu, the secretary general, are acting incongruently on several matters, according to Moshi, who said the party is not operating in an organised manner.
Raushan in a three-page letter also said the party's present political role is very weak to make the country's people aware on the ongoing corruption, looting, nepotism and money laundering in the country.
The 81-year-old Raushan also announced a convening committee comprising the party's secretary general and five co-chairmen to work for successful holding of the council.
Hours after Raushan's move, JP in a press release said, according to the party's charter, Raushan has no authority to form the convening committee and announce the council.
