DHAKA: The gap between the ruling Awami League and its major Grand Alliance partner Jatiya Party is widening following growing dissatisfaction over unfulfilled expectations, JP sources said.

They told banglanews24.com.bd that the relationship between JP chairman and former military ruler HM Ershad and Awami League is growing colder, as he was not made either President or special envoy of the Prime Minister as per the hope reportedly held out before the polls.

No leader of the party, however, would admit it openly.

The followers of Ershad are getting dissatisfied with AL as they (JP) are now in the troubled waters after the High Court declared illegal the 7th constitutional amendment that had legalized the former army chief’s takeover and his military rule.

Party leaders said Ershad had maintained a distance from the Prime Minister failing to get desired reward. Even he was found absent from many grand-alliance programmes. But, sensing possible crisis after the cancellation of the 7th amendment, Ershad met the Prime Minister in a hurry.

When asked about the present uneasy relations with AL, JP presidium member Quazi Feroz Rashid told banglanews24.com.bd, “We are in good equation with the government.”     

He said they knew it earlier that the 7th amendment, which validated the rule of Ershad, would be cancelled in the court. “Because,” he said, “there is no provision of Martial Law in the Constitution so it is natural that the government of Ershad stands illegal.”

“But the verdict cannot hamper our relation with the government,” he claimed. “Because it is the court, not the government, which passed the judgment.”

He however said the Prime Minister so far did not reject any of their demands. “Rather JP got one minister in the cabinet.”

Quazi Feroz Rashid still holds a fond hope that it is not all over. “The government has passed only one and a half years and everything will happen in time if the Prime Minister desires,” said the former student leader of the ‘60s.

Awami League presidium member Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun told banglanews24.com.bd, “Due to the cancellation of the 7th amendment, Ershad might face legal consequences. The government, if considers, can take measures against him.

“But, before that, it will be discussed in parliament. But it is difficult to foretell anything right now.”

Regarding the repeal of the 7th constitutional amendment, Awami League presidium member and lawmaker Obaidul Quader told banglanews24.com.bd that on the basis of public opinion, it would be executed. However, the decision will be taken in the Jatiyo Sangsad, he opined.

He further said, “I don’t think that AL-JP relation will deteriorate due to this judgment. Ershad might be in mental agony as his army rule was ultra vires of the constitution.”

Obaidul Quader further said that Awami League did not file the case that led to the annulment of the 7th amendment.  So there is no possibility of deterioration of the ties between AL and JP.

JP presidium member Mahmudul Hassan said since there was no written pact with grand alliance as partner, “whatever we have received so far is enough. So it is useless to develop unhealthy relationship with the alliance.”

He also claimed that the basic development across the country in the truest sense of the term took place during the rule of Ershad though it has been declared illegal by the court.

BDST: 2055; SEP 6, 2010