Jatiya Party’s new chairman, Ghulam Muhammed Quader, has said: “There is a political vacuum in the country at present with three big parties almost inactive.”

BNP is no longer a major player in politics and if Jatiya Party (JaPa) takes this opportunity then it can emerge as a potent political force in the future, added GM Quader in an exclusive interview given to the Bangla Tribune.

On May 4 last, recently deceased HM Ershad, issued a directive giving the role of party chairman to his brother, GM Quader.

Ershad breathed his last on Jul 14 and, on Thursday (Jul 18), his younger brother, GM Quader, took over the role of party chairman.

Following are excerpts from Bangla Tribune’s interview with GM Quader.

BT: Ershad is no longer here; in his absence how do you plan to unite the party?

Quader: The party is on solid ground; I do not see any problems.

BT: JP’s power base is Rangpur centric; do you have plans to spread the party’s influence all over the country?

Quader: JP’s supporters are the party’s biggest asset; we have seen millions spontaneously taking part in the four janazas of HM Ershad. Diplomats of different countries also came to pay respect; many have said that a deceased Ershad will be more powerful than a living Ershad. In Rangpur, there’s a special emotion for Ershad but he has acceptability all over the country.

BT: Organisations are absent all over the country; how do you look at this?

Quader: We feel the organisations have become weak; after evaluation, we are trying to strengthen them. There is a political vacuum in the country; JP can use this opportunity to increase its appeal. We will work to organise the party and give programmes. We will also take initiatives over the scourge of Dengue and go to the flood affected. We are also providing constructive criticism to the government.

BT: Do you think a council is needed to consolidate the organisation?

Quader: We will have councils in all cities, towns, districts and upazilas, taking steps as per our organogram. We will have council before and after the committee expires.

Prior to this, the party has to be secured at all levels. From now on we will form organisational bodies which will go on the spot and make recommendations; the central committee will then work on these suggestions.

BT: Will you face any opposition from senior members of the party in doing this? Like those who are pro Rowshan Ershad?

I don’t think so; there have been several progammes while HM Ershad was alive along with presidium meets and others. Each event was successful and no one protested.

BT: How important in 20/1 clause of the organogram which was the basis of many of H M Ershad’s decisions?

Quader: Leaders of all democratic states and institutes have a veto power and a special power was given to Ershad. This won’t bother the scrupulous politicians but those who oppose any decision can challenge it in court. If such a clause does not exist, all work will face some obstacles.

However, it’s also stated that in using this power one has to be cautious that the law is not being abused. There has to be accountability.

BT: At the death of HM Ershad, post of the leader of the opposition is vacant; what is your thought on this?

Quader: Time hasn’t come to take a decision on the matter but we will discuss and reach a solution.

BT: Will the government have any role in selecting the opposition party leader?

Quader: No, we did not receive any advice from the government. The post will go to the person whom the speaker picks as per the rules of procedure. We made a suggestion last time and he kept it. We will give another suggestion this time and, hopefully, the speaker will accept it.

BT: What are your thoughts on local election in Chattogram?

Quader: It’s important for all political parties to take part in an election. Irrespective of the result, a party has to stay within the political flow.

BT: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the government gave state honour to autocrat Ershad; how do you interpret this?

Quader: Denouncing Ershad is fashionable; when he died, he was the opposition leader in parliament. He contested in all elections since 1991; he won five seats competing from within the prison. After he died, there were four janazas filled with people. Even after such popularity calling him an autocrat is illogical.

BT: Did JP send a letter to the cabinet secretary for the state funeral of HM Ershad?

Quader: We gave a letter; what the secretary said is not important. The most important thing is that he was given a state funeral.

BT: Have you any plans to create any memorial in Ershad’s name?

Quader: To preserve his memory, a trust has been formed in his paternal home; we will try to establish a complex by his grave. His personal belongings may be displayed at a personal museum. The last book he wrote will soon be published.