Sunday, 10 August, 2025
Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu has issued an unconditional apology to the nation for the party’s decision to participate in elections and join the cabinet under what he described as the “fallen fascist” Awami League government.
Addressing the party’s 10th council at the Emmanuel Party Centre in Gulshan on Saturday, Chunnu acknowledged that while the party’s electoral participation was not illegal, it may have been a moral misstep. “If there has been any moral lapse or error in judgment, I stand here today on behalf of the Jatiya Party to unconditionally apologise to the people,” he said.
Chunnu admitted that political decisions are not always correct and noted that the party’s past cooperation with other political forces has drawn criticism and accusations of being an ally to rival factions. Nevertheless, he emphasised the Jatiya Party’s commitment to peaceful politics, describing it as a “modern democratic party” that intends to operate strictly within the law, and called for cooperation from all political parties and the government to build a democratic future.
The council was presided over by Acting Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, with Co-Chairman ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader delivering the welcome speech. Jatiya Party Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju attended as chief guest, alongside Co-Chairman Kazi Firoz Rashid and other senior leaders.
The event took place amid ongoing internal disputes that have long affected the party. Tensions escalated recently after party chairman GM Quader, brother of the late founder and former military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad, removed 10 senior leaders—including Mahmud, Hawlader, and Chunnu—on 7 July. These leaders challenged the removals in court, which on 31 July issued a temporary injunction barring Quader and Joint Office Secretary Mahmud Alam from exercising organisational duties.
Following the court order, a party statement signed by Office Secretary MA Razzak Khan appointed Anisul Islam Mahmud as acting chairman. On 8 August, Mahmud, Hawlader, and Chunnu announced the national council, claiming reinstatement by court directive and asserting that Quader had been barred from organisational activities. Chunnu explained that the decision to hold the council was aimed at “freeing the party from organisational stagnation” and restoring unity.
The Jatiya Party last convened a council in December 2019. Since Ershad’s death that year, rivalries between Quader and Ershad’s widow, Raushan Ershad, have publicly divided the party. Both factions maintained close ties with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, with several leaders—including Anisul Islam Mahmud and Mujibul Haque Chunnu—serving as ministers in her cabinet.
Political analysts suggest that these ongoing power struggles within the Jatiya Party could impact its future electoral prospects and its role as a significant opposition force in Bangladesh’s multiparty system. Meanwhile, the party faces pressure from its base to clarify its position on collaboration with the ruling Awami League and to demonstrate internal cohesion ahead of forthcoming national elections.
The apology by Mujibul Haque Chunnu reflects an effort by the current leadership faction to reconcile with the public and reinvigorate the party’s image after years of factional disputes and electoral compromises. It remains to be seen how this will influence voter confidence and the Jatiya Party’s political strategy going forward.
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Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu has issued an unconditional apology to the nation for the party’s decision to participate in elections and join the cabinet under what he described as the “fallen fascist” Awami League government.
Addressing the party’s 10th council at the Emmanuel Party Centre in Gulshan on Saturday, Chunnu acknowledged that while the party’s electoral participation was not illegal, it may have been a moral misstep. “If there has been any moral lapse or error in judgment, I stand here today on behalf of the Jatiya Party to unconditionally apologise to the people,” he said.
Chunnu admitted that political decisions are not always correct and noted that the party’s past cooperation with other political forces has drawn criticism and accusations of being an ally to rival factions. Nevertheless, he emphasised the Jatiya Party’s commitment to peaceful politics, describing it as a “modern democratic party” that intends to operate strictly within the law, and called for cooperation from all political parties and the government to build a democratic future.
The council was presided over by Acting Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, with Co-Chairman ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader delivering the welcome speech. Jatiya Party Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju attended as chief guest, alongside Co-Chairman Kazi Firoz Rashid and other senior leaders.
The event took place amid ongoing internal disputes that have long affected the party. Tensions escalated recently after party chairman GM Quader, brother of the late founder and former military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad, removed 10 senior leaders—including Mahmud, Hawlader, and Chunnu—on 7 July. These leaders challenged the removals in court, which on 31 July issued a temporary injunction barring Quader and Joint Office Secretary Mahmud Alam from exercising organisational duties.
Following the court order, a party statement signed by Office Secretary MA Razzak Khan appointed Anisul Islam Mahmud as acting chairman. On 8 August, Mahmud, Hawlader, and Chunnu announced the national council, claiming reinstatement by court directive and asserting that Quader had been barred from organisational activities. Chunnu explained that the decision to hold the council was aimed at “freeing the party from organisational stagnation” and restoring unity.
The Jatiya Party last convened a council in December 2019. Since Ershad’s death that year, rivalries between Quader and Ershad’s widow, Raushan Ershad, have publicly divided the party. Both factions maintained close ties with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, with several leaders—including Anisul Islam Mahmud and Mujibul Haque Chunnu—serving as ministers in her cabinet.
Political analysts suggest that these ongoing power struggles within the Jatiya Party could impact its future electoral prospects and its role as a significant opposition force in Bangladesh’s multiparty system. Meanwhile, the party faces pressure from its base to clarify its position on collaboration with the ruling Awami League and to demonstrate internal cohesion ahead of forthcoming national elections.
The apology by Mujibul Haque Chunnu reflects an effort by the current leadership faction to reconcile with the public and reinvigorate the party’s image after years of factional disputes and electoral compromises. It remains to be seen how this will influence voter confidence and the Jatiya Party’s political strategy going forward.
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