Unrest has erupted within the opposition Jatiya Party (JaPa) as a faction of party leaders and activists on Wednesday demanded the resignation of party Chairman GM Quader and Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu within the following 48 hours.

Expressing their discontent, the faction issued a warning that failure to comply with their demand would result in the removal of GM Quader and Mujibul Haque Chunnu from their positions, with a new leadership to be determined through a party council session soon.

The ultimatum was delivered during a demonstration staged in front of the party’s Banani office in the capital.

In response to the unrest, additional police were deployed around the office to prevent any untoward incidents. The demonstrators were halted by the police as they attempted to enter the office. Later, the dissenting party leaders held a press briefing in front of the office to articulate their grievances.

During the press conference, JaPa Co-chairman Syed Abu Hossain Babla announced the 48-hour ultimatum.

“If necessary, we will hold an extended meeting of the party and convene the party’s council as per organisational rules,” he said.

Babla added, “We have heard allegations that they (GM Quader and Mujibul Haque Chunnu) have been involved in financial improprieties. We will take action in this regard after conducting a thorough investigation. The survival of our party is paramount, and whether we secure parliamentary seats or not becomes inconsequential if the party itself does not exist.”

Reading from a written statement, JaPa presidium member Shahidur Rahman expressed disappointment that the party chairman and secretary general did not resign to take responsibility for the party's poor performance in the elections. The statement noted the sentiments of party members at all levels, calling for the removal of GM Quader and Mujibul Haque Chunnu from their positions.

He said GM Quader and Mujibul Haque Chunnu must resign within the stipulated 48 hours to salvage JaPa and preserve party unity.

He outlined the subsequent process, stating, "They will be removed from their posts, and an acting or executive chairman and an acting secretary general will be appointed."

The JaPa leader also disclosed plans to form a central executive committee through the national council, with current leaders retaining their positions, barring necessary changes. An investigation committee is also slated to be established to probe irregularities, corruption, money scams, and the reasons behind the failure of the party's nominated candidates in the 12th parliamentary elections.

Highlighting internal conflicts, Shahidur noted that the party's chief patron Raushan Ershad refrained from participating in the election due to disagreements over candidate nominations, but she did not allow division within the party.

On the other hand, he said, GM Quader led the JaPa to the brink of destruction in the last four years due to his organisational weakness, and inefficiency, which was reflected in the just held national polls as over 200 candidates of the party boycotted the polls for “gross betrayal” by GM Quader.