Jatiya Party (JaPa) Chairman GM Quader on Monday relieved three senior leaders from all positions within the party, hours after appointing presidium member Shamim Haider Patwary as the secretary general.

The party announced the moves in two separate press releases issued within hours, saying the moves have already come into effect.

The expelled leaders are: erstwhile secretary general Mujibul Haque Chunnu, senior co-chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud and co-chairman ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader.

Ties between Quader and Chunnu worsened recently as the latter spoke against the arbitrary power of the party chairman. As per the party charter, the chairman can appoint or dismiss anyone from the party.

The party outlined reasons behind the expulsion of three top leaders in its press release issued Monday.

As per the statement, on 25 June, in a party views exchange meeting, presidents and general secretaries of the Dhaka city unit raised allegations of “disciplinary violations” against Chunnu, Anisul, and Ruhul Amin Howlader. They demanded penalties for the alleged misconduct, the party press statement read.

On 28 June, in a presidium council meeting, the decision was taken to oust the three leaders.

Later on Monday, Anisul and Ruhul Amin Howlader issued a joint counter statement, terming the expulsion of Chunnu as an undemocratic act and a violation of party charter. They asserted that Chunnu remained the legitimate secretary general of the party.

The expulsion was announced without any justification, in a show of not only political vengeance but also unethical attitude, they said in the joint statement.

The presidium body has already announced the party council for electing leadership, they said but did not specify when the announcement was made. Nor did the statement mention the date for holding the council.

It is “completely illegal” to appoint new leaders or expel existing ones after plans for a council has been announced, the statement continued.

Anisul and Ruhul Amin called on all the party members to unite against “unfair and dictatorial actions” within the party.