Jatiya Party leader Shameem Haidar Patwary on Thursday said there is no scope under the law for anyone other than GM Quader to use the party’s electoral symbol ‘Plough’ or to become its chairman.
“In the eyes of the law, it is very clear -- no one other than GM Quader can get the plough symbol. No one other than GM Quader can become chairman under the constitution, law and order of the party. This is an explicit interpretation of the law,” he told reporters.
Patwary, secretary general of the GM Quader-led JaPa faction, made the remarks after meeting Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.
A JaPa delegation, led by Patwary, met the CEC to share their legal stance against the Anisul Islam Mahmud and Ruhul Amin Hawlader-led committee, which has sought recognition from the Election Commission as the mainstream Jatiya Party.
Citing the party constitution, Patwary said under section 20(Kha) of the party charter, only the chairman can appoint an acting chairman, and no one else has that authority.
“There is no alternative provision in our constitution. So, the appointment of an acting chairman by anyone else is completely illegal. Moreover, those who have been appointed were already expelled,” he said.
He said the party charter clearly states that the timing and venue of the presidium and national council must be set with the chairman’s consent and that the chairman will preside over such a meeting or council.
“That means no council can be held without the chairman. It is explicitly stated in our charter…. which (charter) is now submitted to the Election Commission. That is our charter. That is our law. We have no obligation to accept any other law beyond this,” he said.
Patwary alleged that the so-called council held by the rival faction was in no way a valid council.
“A gathering of some people cannot be called a valid council. To my knowledge, there was no Election Commission representative present there. Moreover, how can expelled members organise a council or take part in it without their expulsion being withdrawn?” he said.