Leaders and activists of Jatiya Party have fallen apart after HM Ershad's decision to quit the post of party chairman. Many of them including some former lawmakers may quit the party to join the initiative taken by Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi to float a new party.

A good number of leaders at upazila level said they would quit politics for good while some others want to observe the situation till a party council, which is uncertain.

A section of the leaders are frustrated and annoyed with Ershad for what they called his 'whimsical' and 'unwise' decision to relinquish the post of party chairman. But they also criticised Roushan Ershad's recent move.

A front ranking leader seeking anonymity claimed that majority of the former party lawmakers would quit the party and join Ferdous Alam Quraisi to form a new political party.

Former lawmakers Karim Uddin Bharsa and GM Quader of Rangpur, Mojibor Rahman of

Lalmonirhat and Mostafizur Rahman Mostaque of Kurigram hailed Ershad's decision.

Talking to this correspondent, Karim Uddin Bharsa said, "We never differed on Ershad's decision in the past. This time also we won't disregard him but we we'll request him at a party council to retain the post ofchairman."

Mostaque said, "There is no alternative to reforming in the party. Ershad did what he thought best for it. We are with him and we will be with him."

Former MP Tajul Islam Chowdhury of Kurigram however said he is frustrated with recent developments in the party. “I am very frustrated about future of the party. It was fully dependent on Ershad. As Ershad declared to quit his post, there is none in the party who can lead it for a single day. Therefore majority of the former MPs have decided to join Quoraisi's move," Tajul said.

Asked to specify, Tajul claimed that former MPs Moshiur Rahman Ranga, Mohammad Ali, Sha Solaiman Alam and Noor

Mohammad Mondol may quit the party tojoinQuoraishi.

However, when asked, Ranga, Noor Mondol, and Solaiman declined to make any comment on Tajul's claim.

A former JP MP preferring not to be named said, “Tajul and a few former MPs are accused in a number corruption cases. They will be expelled from the party through council when ban on indoor politics will be withdrawn". Another former party lawmaker said, "Tazul and Ranga along with a few former MPs are joining a new political platform to keep themselves safe”

District, upazila and union level leaders of the party are also frustrated. Kurigram district president of JP Shafiqul Islam Choudhury said, "Ershad is very inconsistent in his decisions. He may change his recent stand any moment. Let me see what he finally does."

Several leaders of Kurigram district unit of the party claimed that Shafiqul Islam, younger brother of Tajul Islam, is 'doing ground work in Kurigram in favour

of a new political platform'.

Jatiya Party's Jattrapur unit leader in Kurigram Ayiub Ali said, "I will no longer remain in JP. I will join Quoraisi's party."

Lalmonirhat JP secretary Mahbubar Rahman however claimed that none of the district level leaders will quit the party. Rather, the leaders and activists hailed Ershad's decision to relinquish the post to give scope for young leaders.

A section of grassroots JP leaders and activists in Rangpur are frustrated with Ershad's decision. They have decided to quit politics forever.

Rangpur Sadar upazila JP secretary Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa said, "I will quit politics for ever if Ershad does not return to his post."

Yasir, Rangpur district president of Jubo Sanghoti, youth front of JP, said, he will request Ershad to reconsider his decision.