Claiming that the millions of people in the underdeveloped northern region are grateful to Jatiya Party (JP) chief HM Ershad for his development initiatives undertaken during his military regime, JP Co-Chairman GM Quader has said the north wants Ershad’s family to lead the party.
“It’s the perception of general people that blood relation historically plays important role to leadership. So, they (the people in the north) hope that JP leadership will come from Ershad’s dynasty,” said Quader, who is the younger brother of Ershad.
Speaking at a programme at the JP’s Banani offices in city, GM Qauder called his party that is ‘highly vocal’ for the betterment of the people in the north.
Since the formation in 1986, Ershad’s JP has always secured most of its parliamentary seats from the northern region with 23 seats in 11th parliamentary – half of them are from the northern districts.
Reasons behind JP’s success in the northern regions are often said to be the development works undertaken by Ershad during his military regime from 1983 to 1990.
Referring to the recent reshuffle in the party top brass, Quader thanked the party supporters for showing their ‘moral support’ to his leadership.
In a quick move, JP chief Ershad, on Apr 4, reinstated Quader as the party co-chairman removing his wife Raushan Ershad 12 days after Quader lost the poison.
Ousting of Quader, who is also a JP presidium member and was its co-chairman since 2016, sparked protests among the party members and leaders in the northern division of Rangpur.
“We will do politics altogether... However, party discipline has to be maintained. We all have to stand united leaving all grouping for the sake of the party and the country,” Quader said.
He, however, said that his elder brother Ershad will continue to lead the party as long as he lives.
Speaking of the party’s next course of action, Quader said, “JP will play positive role in the politics of Bangladesh.”