GM Quader new chairman of Jatiya Party 

Jatiya Party on Thursday formally announced HM Ershad's younger brother GM Quader as its chairman.

Party secretary general Moshiur Rahman Ranga came up with the announcement at a press conference at Jatiya Party chairman's Banani office.

Before his death, Ranga said, Ershad through an organisational instruction had announced that GM Quader would be the party chairman in his absence. "So, we've decided that GM Quader is our party chairman from toady."

He also urged journalists to mention GM Quader as the Jatiya Party chairman.

Though some party presidium members were present at the press conference, Ershad's wife and party senior cochairman Raushon Ershad were not seen there.

Speaking at the press conference, GM Quader said there is no conflict or division within their party. "All of the Jatiya Party leaders and activists are united. We'll make the party stronger further with united efforts by turning our grief over the death of Palli Bondhu into strength."

Jatiya Party chairman and ex-president Hussain Muhammad Ershad who died on Sunday was laid to eternal rest on Tuesday at Polli Nibash in his hometown Rangpur where he was the most admirable political figure for over three decades.

In a dramatic move, the maverick former military strongman, known for frequently changing his decisions, Ershad reinstated his younger brother GM Quader as party chairman in his absence on April 6 and he did not change the decision before his death.

Earlier, Ershad had picked his brother to run the party in his absence on January 1 last and appointed Quader as the deputy leader of opposition three days later.

Amid strong resentment in the party on March 23, Ershad also removed Quader from the post of the deputy opposition leader, nominating his wife Raushon for the post.