Shawdesh Desk: Describing Raushan Ershad as a ‘mother figure’, Jatiya Party leader GM Quader has threatened to take appropriate action against those who have breached party discipline.
He came up with the note of warning while addressing a press briefing at his Banani office in the city yesterday. Quader said, “Roushan is like my mother. I respect her. I hope she won’t do anything which will malign her. Those who have broken party discipline will face harsh actions.”

Leaders and activists of the Jatiya Party loyal to Raushan declared her as party chairman at a media briefing at her residence earlier on Thursday.

In the presence of Raushan, JP presidium member Anisul Islam Mahmud said Raushan Ershad will perform the duties of party chairman for the time being, adding that a council will be called within six months to make a permanent appointment to the post through a democratic process.

Mentioning Section 22 of the party constitution amended for the last time in 2016, GM Quader said, “The party chairman will select the parliamentary party leader from faithful persons. It is natural that the parliamentary party leader will be leader of the opposition. Holding meetings of the parliamentary party haven’t been mentioned in it. I have talked to party lawmakers to know about their faith in me. Some 15 MPs have kept their faith in me. They want to see me as leader of the opposition. I have sent a letter to the Speaker as per the constitution.”

It may be mentioned that HM Ershad earlier selected the party’s parliamentary leader in such way. No decision was taken in this regard convening the parliamentary party meeting, Quader added. Quader further said, “Ershad issued an organizational directive that in his absence, I will perform duties of party chairman.”