JP lawmaker Ranga shown the door

In a new turn of events, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader yesterday expelled lawmaker Mashiur Rahman Ranga from the party.

He was also relieved of the post of opposition chief whip and his party's primary membership was revoked, meaning that he is no more in the main opposition party in parliament.

The JP chief came up with the stern action against Ranga for "siding with opposition leader Raushan Ershad and his recent criticism of Quader".

Quader took the decision and exercised the special power bestowed upon him in the party's charter, according to a statement issued by Quader.

According to section 20/1/Ka of JP charter, the JP chairman is empowered to make any decision unilaterally.

As per the power, the JP chief can form, reconstitute, and scrap any committee at any level even if the action goes against the other parts of the JP charter.

The latest development in the main opposition would widen the rift between Quader and Raushan groups, JP insiders said.

After Ranga was relieved, Raushan, who is having medical treatment in Bangkok, in a statement said Quader made the decision, violating parliamentary rules and using the undemocratic power as the JP chairman.

"No change has been brought in the post of the opposition chief whip," she said.

Talking to this correspondent, Ranga said the JP chairman does not have any right to relieve him of the post of opposition chief whip.

"Only the opposition leader can do it. But GM Quader is not the opposition leader; he is the deputy leader of the opposition."

Golam Moshi, political secretary to Raushan Ershad, yesterday told The Daily Star that Quader's decision of relieving Ranga was not correct.

"Ranga, a longtime leader of this party, has a huge contribution to this organisation. He is a tested, committed and veteran leader of the party."

"A leader like him cannot be relieved whimsically and on the basis of unilateral decision of a person," said Moshi, also former Bangladesh ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Also the lawmaker from Rangpur-1, Ranga in a discussion organised by Raushan group on October 23 vowed to oust Quader and JP Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu from the party as they were acting against Raushan.

The fresh conflict between Quader and Raushan, the wife of former president and JP founder HM Ershad, started brewing when she suddenly on August 31 convened the party's 10th council on November 26.

Sources at the JP told this correspondent that pro-Raushan group has planned to oust Quader from the party helm in the council and take its control.

On September 1, JP Parliamentary Party at a meeting decided to remove Raushan from the post of the opposition leader and a letter was submitted to the Jatiya Sangsad Speaker to this end.

On September 14, Quader, the younger brother of Ershad, relieved Ranga of all party posts, including that of presidium member of JP, for "siding with Raushan".