Jatiya Party splits again as sixth faction breaks off

The Jatiya Party (JP) has suffered yet another split, with a new faction on Tuesday announcing Anisul Islam Mahmud as its acting chairman.

The breakaway group includes senior leaders ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader and Mujibul Haque Chunnu. The announcement was made at a presidium meeting held at a JP leader’s residence in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Anisul, a senior co-chairman of this faction, said the decision follows a recent court order restraining JP Chairman GM Quader and Joint Office Secretary Mahmud Alam from carrying out organizational activities.

In a unanimous resolution, the faction also revoked the expulsion of several leaders — including Kazi Firoz Rashid, Syed Abu Hossain Babla, and Shahidur Rahman Tepa — who had been expelled without notice by GM Quader after the 12th national election. The leaders were reinstated to their posts.

The presidium meeting, chaired by Anisul and attended by co-chairman Ruhul Amin and Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu, adjourned until 4 pm on August 6.

The court injunction, issued on July 30 by Judge Md Nurul Islam of the Joint District and Sessions Judge’s Court-1 in Dhaka, prevents GM Quader and Mahmud Alam from performing party organizational duties. The order came after Chunnu and nine other senior JP leaders filed a civil suit challenging Quader’s actions.

The lawsuit states that Quader illegally removed Chunnu as secretary general, appointing Shamim Haider Patwary in his place, and also dismissed senior leader Anisul and eight others from their posts in violation of party rules.

The faction led by Anisul and Ruhul Amin had recently attempted to remove Quader and amend Article 20 (Ka) of the party constitution — a clause granting the chairman extensive powers to appoint or remove party members.

In response, Quader removed Anisul, Hawlader, and Chunnu from all party posts on July 7 and appointed Shamim Haider Patwary as the new secretary general.

Founded in 1986 by HM Ershad, the Jatiya Party has experienced multiple splits over the years, with this latest development marking the emergence of its sixth faction.