Zapa wants to take the seat vacated by BNP

Roshan Ershad and GM Quader paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister

Japa chairman GM Quader has been suspended from political activities for almost one and a half months following a court order. There are various discussions in the party regarding the tension between the government and the top leadership of Japa. However , Japa chairman GM Quader and chief sponsor Roshan Ershad met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Ganabhaban office yesterday afternoon . Japa leaders are looking at the possibility of a dramatic turn in the tension.

When asked about this meeting, Secretary General Japa said. Mujibul Haque told Prothom Alo, 'As far as I know, Madam (Roshan Ershad) wanted to meet the Prime Minister. He also called the chairman (GM Quader) there. The Prime Minister's Office has given a statement in this regard. Beyond that we don't know anything.'

However, multiple sources responsible for Japa say that Japa is encouraged to contest the vacant seats of the BNP parliamentarians of this meeting. Japa leaders think that the number of seats of Awami League in the parliament is enough, so Japa will get concession from Awami League in the vacant seats.

Presently there are 26 MPs from Japa in Parliament. Among them 22 elected, 4 reserved women MPs.

Six BNP MPs resigned from the National Parliament last Sunday. As a result, elections will be held in Chapainawabganj-2, Bogra-4, Bogra-6, Thakurgaon-3, Brahmanbaria-2 and one reserved seat. However, among the seven members of parliament of BNP, Chapainawabganj-3 Constituency Md. As Harunur Rashid was abroad, Sashree could not present his resignation letter. So his seat was not vacant.

It is learned that GM Quader went to Ganabhaban yesterday around 12.30 pm to meet the Prime Minister. After some time Roshan Ershad and his son Rahgir Al Mahi Saad Ershad reached there. They spoke to the Prime Minister together and separately for about an hour.

Japa Chairman GM Quader told Prothom Alo, 'He (Roshan Ershad) was out for treatment for a long time. He asked for time for a courtesy meeting with the Prime Minister after returning home. I was also called there. It was a courtesy call.'

After the meeting, the notice sent from the press wing of the Prime Minister's office said, in this courtesy meeting, the Prime Minister discussed the responsible role of the opposition parties in strengthening democracy and constitutional government in any country in the world. The Prime Minister thanked Jatiya Party for playing a constructive and positive role in parliamentary democracy. During the meeting, the Prime Minister inquired about the physical condition of the opposition leader and exchanged pleasantries. It is said from the Jatiya Party that they are determined to maintain democracy and constitutional government in the country from a political standpoint. Jatiya Party will play a constructive and effective role as the main opposition party in Parliament and outside Parliament.

Meanwhile, since October 30 due to a court order in a case filed by a former leader of Japa, Japa chairman GM Quader has been away from taking party decisions. After the court's order, there was talk within Japa that the government was unhappy with Japa's top leadership. Because, the way GM Quader was giving a speech criticizing the government recently, it was not liked by the upper echelons of the government.

On the other hand, GM Quader went first to the Dhaka Joint District Judge's Court and then to the High Court seeking the withdrawal of the temporary injunction against him. Till yesterday there was no solution in this matter. From the beginning, there has been doubt and discussion among Japa leaders and workers whether the government is behind this case or not.

After the hearing on the application made against the order of the High Court regarding the discharge of duties of GM Quader, the Appellate Division set the date for the order on Tuesday. No order yesterday.

However, after the meeting of GM Quader and Roshan Ershad with the Prime Minister yesterday, many people in the party think that there is going to be a solution to the tension that was created in relation to the Japa government. Related sources say that the government is politically under some pressure due to the resignation of BNP MPs from the National Parliament, although there are seven in number. As a result, the importance of Japa, the main opposition party in the parliament, has increased to the government. Therefore, for political strategic reasons, the government wants to give the vacant seats of BNP to Japa.

However, Japa chairman GM Quader did not agree to comment on whether there was any discussion with the prime minister about the vacant seats of BNP. He told Prothom Alo that Japa can participate in the by-elections in vacant seats. A decision will be taken after discussing this at the policy-making stage of the party.

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