JP chairman likely to make Raushan the deputy leader of opposition

JP to take opposition role in parliament

Ershad writes to Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury

Jatiya Party (JP) has expressed their happiness over party chairman HM Ershad’s decision to play the opposition’s role in the 11th parliament. However, Begum Raushan Ershad, who was the opposition leader in the previous Parliament, is unhappy over the appointment of GM Quader, Ershad’s younger brother, as the opposition deputy leader of the House. According to JP insiders, the party chairman will likely change his decision and make Raushan the opposition deputy leader in parliament. Ershad yesterday wrote to Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury that his party will play the opposition’s role in parliament. The letter further stated that Ershad would be the leader of the opposition and party co-chairman Quader will be the deputy opposition leader. JP secretary general Moshiur Rahman Ranga will be the opposition chief whip.

At the same time, Ershad, who was admitted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) yesterday for treatment, said he would take oath as MP after his full recovery.

According to JP sources, however, the reason behind Ershad’s decision not to take the oath now was he first wanted to streamline the party.

“The party is facing an image crisis as it failed to play a vital role in the previous Parliament despite sitting in the opposition. So, JP wants to play a strong role in the present House to increase the party image in the country,” a JP presidium member told The Independent on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, JP sources said some party lawmakers were still working behind-the-scenes to join the government by opposing Ershad’s decision.

But the majority of party leaders desired that Ershad should be the opposition leader and Raushan should be his deputy leader in Parliament, they added.

In a related development, Quader yesterday said JP wanted to play the role of the main opposition in the 11th Parliament to speak for the nation as well as for the people of the country.

“We want to be a strong opposition in parliament. We will play the role of the main opposition through discussion so that there will be no loopholes in conducting Parliament,” he told reporters at an unscheduled press briefing at the party chairman’s Banani political office.

Referring to Ershad’s decision, the JP co-chairman further said that no party MP will be join the cabinet.

“JP wants to play a positive role under the leadership of Ershad. The chairman will take oath when he is well,” he added.

Echoing this, JP presidium member SM Faisal Chisti said there was no scope to join the government.

“It was our desire to play the opposition’s role in parliament. Sir’s (Ershad) decision is totally correct. There will be no existence of JP if the decision is changed,” he observed.

Asked about Ershad’s health condition, Chisti replied, “Sir is ill and he has been admitted to CMH.

On Thursday, both Quader and Mashiur Rahman Ranga had said they would join the government as a partner of the Awami League-led grand alliance.

JP chairman likely to make Raushan the deputy leader of opposition

JP to take opposition role in parliament

Ershad writes to Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury

Jatiya Party (JP) has expressed their happiness over party chairman HM Ershads decision to play the oppositions role in the 11th parliament. However, Begum Raushan Ershad, who was the opposition leader in the previous Parliament, is unhappy over the appointment of GM Quader, Ershads younger brother, as the opposition deputy leader of the House. According to JP insiders, the party chairman will likely change his decision and make Raushan the opposition deputy leader in parliament. Ershad yesterday wrote to Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury that his party will play the oppositions role in parliament. The letter further stated that Ershad would be the leader of the opposition and party co-chairman Quader will be the deputy opposition leader. JP secretary general Moshiur Rahman Ranga will be the opposition chief whip. At the same time, Ershad, who was admitted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) yesterday for treatment, said he would take oath as MP after his full recovery. According to JP sources, however, the reason behind Ershads decision not to take the oath now was he first wanted to streamline the party. The party is facing an image crisis as it failed to play a vital role in the previous Parliament despite sitting in the opposition. So, JP wants to play a strong role in the present House to increase the party image in the country, a JP presidium member told The Independent on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, JP sources said some party lawmakers were still working behind-the-scenes to join the government by opposing Ershads decision. But the majority of party leaders desired that Ershad should be the opposition leader and Raushan should be his deputy leader in Parliament, they added. In a related development, Quader yesterday said JP wanted to play the role of the main opposition in the 11th Parliament to speak for the nation as well as for the people of the country. We want to be a strong opposition in parliament. We will play the role of the main opposition through discussion so that there will be no loopholes in conducting Parliament, he told reporters at an unscheduled press briefing at the party chairmans Banani political office. Referring to Ershads decision, the JP co-chairman further said that no party MP will be join the cabinet. JP wants to play a positive role under the leadership of Ershad. The chairman will take oath when he is well, he added. Echoing this, JP presidium member SM Faisal Chisti said there was no scope to join the government. It was our desire to play the oppositions role in parliament. Sirs (Ershad) decision is totally correct. There will be no existence of JP if the decision is changed, he observed. Asked about Ershads health condition, Chisti replied, Sir is ill and he has been admitted to CMH. On Thursday, both Quader and Mashiur Rahman Ranga had said they would join the government as a partner of the Awami League-led grand alliance.