The Jatiya Party will speak on behalf of the people from the Opposition bench in the parliament and act in as assisting capacity to the government, says Co-Chairman GM Quader.

“The opposition will keep the government in check if they are about to do anything that is damaging for the country or the people,” he said.

In an interview with Bangla Tribune, Quader also hinted at bringing reforms to the party’s charters, including the procedure of inducting members into its highest policymaking forum Presidium.

After the Awami League, its ally Jatiya Party won the second largest number of seats following the general election. The party has 22 seats in parliament next to Awami League's 257.    

Its Chairman HM Ershad nominated himself as chief of the opposition bloc.

He overlooked his wife Raushon, who headed the Jatiya Party as leader of the official opposition in the previous parliament and appointed Quader, his younger brother as deputy leader of the opposition.   

The former military dictator has also announced that Quader would lead the party in his absence.

In the interview with Bangla Tribune earlier this week, Quader said he wants to bring structural order to the party and minimise “use of special powers”.

Bangla Tribune: What will the Jatiya Party’s role be in the Parliament?

GM Quader:  We are sitting on the Opposition bench of the House. In every part of the world, the opposition acts in an assisting capacity to the government. If we see the government faulting in any of their actions, we point it out to them.

Also, the opposition serves as a representative of the people. We will speak on behalf of the people and let them know about what the people are supporting or boycotting.

The opposition will keep the government in check if they are about to do anything that is damaging for the country or the people.

Are you thinking about reforming the party charter?

          Actually, the party charter is made in such a way that many are still joining the Presidium (highest policymaking forum).

How many Presidium members does JP have now?

          According to our party constitution, there should be 41, but there’s a lot more.

You are the in-charge now. Can we expect something new? Will the numbers of Presidium members go down below 41?

          We do want it, but it depends on the Presidium. We will form a committee that will prepare the proposal.
          It will then need the Presidium’s approval and then the council’s approval.

          In many cases, one member is holding 3/4 posts at central and district units. I think there should be some discipline there. We lack order and the actions of many can create a rift in the party structure.

When’s the party council expected?

          The last council was held three years ago and it expires in April. If we stick to procedure, it (a new council) should be held in April or May.

Do you think you will be able to hold the council on time?

          The national elections are over and we think that the party is now in a stable position. Given the contemporary political climate, I don’t think it will be a problem.

Are there any new activities in the party agenda?

          The elections are done and we don’t have any grand activity on the agenda, at least, not for the next three to four months. Everything will go according to the normal

Can you tell our readers from which point you want to move forward?

          I wish to bring structural order to the party. The party must work according to the charter and minimise the use of special powers.

There is a popular belief that there is a Raushon Ershad-led faction amongst the Jatiya Party. However, this time your party chairman is the Leader of the Opposition and made you the deputy leader. Do you think the supposed faction will be in the challenge?

          Many people tried to do many things with Raushon Ershad during the 2014 election. This time all of us participated and many of us have been elected. She did make some announcements that she will work as a true opposition but she was referring to                          me when she spoke about the leadership of the party. Many people may try to use her at times but I don’t see that as a big challenge.

Recently your party’s Secretary General Moshiur Rahman Ranga called on the lawmakers of the 14-party-Alliance to join the opposition. Did you receive any response to that?

          There is nothing to respond to. Everyone in the Parliament, other than the Cabinet members, is private members. They can criticise the government. In other countries they can vote against the government but not in our country.

Your party chairman is currently undergoing treatment at Singapore. You might hit a few difficulties in the party operations. Do you expect non-cooperation from any party member?

          I don’t think so. There will be no problems. Anyone can talk about the Parliament. But as for our party operations, it will go on as usual.

Do you want to say anything about BNP and their participation in the Parliament?

          I am reluctant to make comments about other parties. They will do as they see fit.