The Jatiya Party may introduce a special post for Raushan Ershad, its senior co-chairperson and opposition leader, at the upcoming council to pacify a section of party leaders who want to see her as the chairperson, party insiders said.

Raushan is likely to be made “chief patron” of the party at its next council scheduled for December 28, the insiders added.  

GM Quader, the party chairman, and top leaders loyal to him are apparently behind the move, said a party source.  

The JP will have to amend its charter at the council to create the new post, SM Faysal Chisty, a presidium member, told The Daily Star. 

The move comes against the backdrop of a High Court ruling yesterday, which questioned the legality of Quader being appointed the party chairperson without holding any council.  

The court issued a rule asking Quader and the Election Commission to explain in four weeks why his appointment should not be declared illegal, Deputy Attorney General Noor us Sadik told The Daily Star. 

Jatiya Party’s central committee member Mohammad Zahir Uddin filed the writ petition.  

Noor us Sadik said as per the constitution of the party, its office bearers would be appointed through a council, something which had not been done in Quader’s appointment.   

“Quader wants to solidify his grip on the party through the council. But Raushan madam can put up a stiff challenge,” said a JP presidium member loyal to Raushan.  

“That’s why Quader bhai wants to put Raushan madam in a ceremonial post to make her happy,” he added.  

Regarding the amendment to the party charter, a JP leader said a presidium meeting would be held in a day or two to approve the matter.  

At the council, JP might amend its charter in a bid to create a steering committee, sources said.   

The JP chairman will take advice from the steering committee in times of emergencies, said party insiders.  

Asked, JP presidium member Faysal Chisty said they were all set to hold the party’s council at the Institution of Engineers in the capital.  

He also said around 12,000 delegates, including 4,000 councillors from 74 organisational districts, are expected to participate in the council where the party’s new leadership would be elected.   

Meanwhile, JP sources said a section of leaders loyal to Raushan is trying to make her the chairperson for their own interests.  

They said they would raise the issue in the party’s presidium meeting.  

After the demise of HM Ershad on July 14, both Raushan and Quader were at loggerheads over who would become the JP chairman and leader of the opposition.  

Later, Quader was declared as the JP chairman, an appointment opposed by Raushan’s faction.  

Factions of Raushan and GM Quader, after several meetings in September, came to an understanding that Quader would remain the chairperson, while Raushan would be the opposition leader.  

Since then Quader, who had in April been announced as the chairperson by the late JP chairman HM Ershad, also his elder brother, has been holding the post unchallenged.  

CHANGES IN THE POST OF SECRETARY GENERAL? 

Jatiya Party insiders said Secretary General Moshiur Rahman Ranga might lose his post due to his recent “derogatory” remarks on Shaheed Noor Hossain, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.  

Party insiders said Ranga had lost the blessings of the ruling Awami League following his comments on Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina.  

Names of Kazi Firoz Rashid, Ziauddin Ahmed, Ruhul Amin Howlader and Fakhrul Imam are being discussed for the post of secretary general, said JP insiders.