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Download PDF Rawshan Ershad, senior presidium member of Jatiya Party (JP), in a dramatic development yesterday proclaimed herself as the acting chief and unveiled plans for intra-party reforms apparently seeking to dethrone former president HM Ershad.
The same day in a press conference to pre-empt her wife’s move, JP Chairman Ershad described Rawshan’s activities as anti-organisational and said she might get the axe for those.
Later, Rawshan announced 13 proposals for radical changes in the party at a press conference at her Gulshan residence. There she also introduced Presidium Member Golam Mosih as “the new secretary general” replacing the incumbent, Ruhul Amin Hawlader.
Her proposals came just a day after the pro-reform leaders of the BNP rolled out theirs that too seem designed to boot out the current head of the party.
Meanwhile, the pro-reform group within Awami League plans to place their proposals to the AL central working committee as soon as the ban on indoor politics is lifted. The proposals would seek to set up a collective leadership.
In presence of three presidium members and a few mid-level leaders Rawshan proposed that anyone charged with corruption or other crimes would not qualify for the posts of chairman, secretary-general, presidium members or members of the secretary council.
Besides, no one would be allowed to hold chairmanship for two terms or more than six years.
Once the proposals are included in the JP constitution, Ershad will have to stand down as the chairman since he had already been convicted of corruption and had served a prison term for that. Besides, he has been at the helm since 1986.
Rawshan and her allies requested Ershad to serve as the chief adviser of the JP in the light of the reform initiative.
Party’s Joint Secretary General SM Faisal Chisti read out the proposals. Shortly afterwards, Rawshan was faced with a barrage of questions from the reporters and struggled to give answers to many.
Asked on what authority she has announced herself as the acting head of the party, she said most of the presidium members endorse the move. She however could not give names and number of those she claimed to be backing her in command.
“Write whatever you think you should,” she replied to a query about the status of the present committee of the JP.
“Everything will come clear once the ban on indoor politics is withdrawn,” she said when queried if she had suspended the present JP committee.
Rawshan said, “These are all draft proposals and would be finalised at the council meeting.” Again, she kept quiet when reporters asked who would then chair the council meeting. At one stage, she said, “We’ll chair the meeting.”
As questions kept coming to trouble her, she said, “Please try to understand. Most of the presidium members and young leaders are with us.”
Then when asked why such a few were present at the press briefing, Rawshan replied, “It’s because the press conference has been rescheduled and there is a ban on indoor politics.”
“We were not under pressure from the government or from elsewhere to bring changes,” she said.
The proposals say that party chairman and secretary general would be elected at the council meeting. Presidium, central committee and workers committee members would be elected through council.
ERSHAD’S BRIEFING
JP Chairman Ershad said Rawshan’s activities and statements go against the party constitution. “She has no right to expel me or bring reforms in the party. We might take any action including expulsion against her,” he said.
“I was elected chairman by the council and will continue in the post until the council chooses the next leader,” said the former military strongman.
Ershad formed a committee on reforms headed by presidium member Anisul Islam Mahmud.
“I’m not against reforms or new leadership,” he said adding that the committee would draw up recommendations on reforms that will be discussed at the Jatiya Party presidium before being placed for approval from the council.
Ershad said some leaders of his party are issuing statements to the media, violating the party discipline.
“Such activities will not be tolerated. Our door is open. Those who don’t feel comfortable can leave. But none will be allowed to spread confusion, using the party’s name.”
REFORM PROPOSALS
The reform proposals say the party chairman and secretary general would be elected for three years but not more than two terms.
An honours degree would be the minimum educational qualification for becoming chairman, secretary-general and president and general secretary of the district committees.
Any person convicted of corruption or criminal cases would not be allowed to be chairman, secretary- general, presidium members or members of the secretary council.
Chairman, secretary general and presidium members will have to submit wealth statements every year.
The chairman’s power to nominate presidium members and candidates for elections would be scrapped.
June 28th, 2007 at 5:40 am
Oh!!! Please!!
Mam,Go and look after some orphange home!Let me give
you a address close to Lalbagh Sir. Salimullah Orphange home.Or take some money from your husband
and do something in Rangpur (rural area).Act like a
Real former First lady!!!!