Dubbed as unpredictable in the Bangladeshi political scene, former military dictator and Jatiya Party chief HM Ershad has once again did justice to it by replacing his long-time trusted lieutenant ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader by Mashiur Rahman Ranga as the party’s secretary general.
With just weeks left for the general election, party Chairman Ershad on Monday (Dec 3), out of the blue, removed Howlader from his position.
A letter sent to Ranga from the party’s letterhead from Ershad said: “We are appointing you as the secretary general to the Jatiya Party. You will take on the duties in addition to those as a member of the party’s Presidium.”
But it did not provide an explanation of why Howlader, who Ershad has said was ‘like a son to him’, has been removed.
The decision, however, left a section of the party in cheers, but also evoked speculations over the motive.
Several Jatiya Party nomination aspirants raised allegations that Howlader was charging exorbitant prices for nomination forms for the 11th parliamentary election amid Ershad ‘falling ill’ and being admitted to the hospital.
Ranga’s appointment came a day after Howlader’s nomination for the Patuakhali-1 constituency was rejected, which according to several senior leaders, is the reason behind the sudden move.
“It’s because his nomination was cancelled, which left Ershad and the party in an embarrassing situation. There’s no other reason,” a Presidium member, known to be close to Ershad, told Bangla Tribune on condition of anonymity.
Ershad had appointed Howlader as secretary general in 2001 after Anwar Hossain Manju split from the party.
Howlader was removed from the post in April 2013 amid power plays within the party, but was reinstated in January 2016.
He served as a deputy minister between 1981 and 1982 in the Ershad regime and was elected an MP from the Jatiya Party in the 1986 general election. Until Dec 6, 1990, when Ershad stepped down in the face of a populous movement, he served as the whip, state minister for health, agriculture and sports before gradually being the textile and jute minister.
A section of the Jatiya Party, however, says whatever may be the reason; Howlader’s removal has brought a respite.
Allegations have surfaced against Howlader of trading party tickets for money, which new Secretary General Ranga said will be looked in to.
Speaking to media after assuming his new position in the party, Ranga said they will take actions if anyone within the party is found to be involved. “We will open an inquiry by Presidium members.”
However, a senior leader said he has doubts whether any measures will be taken.
“A probe will be opened is what the secretary general said in response to query from the press. But I have doubts; Howlader is very close to the party chairperson,” the presidium member told Bangla Tribune but asked not to be named.
JP Co-Chairman GM Quader, however, says it’s up to the party chief who will be the secretary general.
“The chairman felt like changing the secretary general and did it. We have nothing to say on it, he did what he thought was best for the party,” Quader, who is Ershad’s brother, told Bangla Tribune on Monday.
Presidium member Sunil Shubharoy, who is also Ershad’s press secretary, described the move as a political strategy.
“The chairman changed the secretary general in line with the party’s charter. The time before the election is crucial and Jatiya Party has to be ahead politically.”