On 23 June 1996, Jatiya Party (JP) MPs held a meeting at which it was decided that Anwar Hussain Manju, JP Secretary General, would "perform the responsibilities of the leader of the parliamentary party" of the JP in the absence of JP Chairman Ershad (Radio Bangladesh 23 June 1996).

That same day, following the June elections, the JP stated it would not join the coalition government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League (AL) (PTI News Agency 23 June 1996). However, the JP extended support to the AL, in exchange for three reserved women's seats and a cabinet post in Hasina's "national consensus" government (DPA 14 Sept. 1997). Anwar Hussain Manju was made cabinet minister and given the communications portfolio (IPS 25 June 1996; Xinhua 1 July 1997; DPA 14 Sept. 1997).

At the end of April 1997, Manju was made Vice-Chairman of the JP, replacing Miazanur Rahman Chowdhury who was relieved of his post (The Bangladesh Observer 25 Apr. 1997). Manju also continued his duties as JP Secretary General (ibid.).

On 30 June 1997 the JP formally split with each faction claiming to be the real JP and expelling the other (Xinhua 1 July 1997). Kazi Zafar Ahmed and Shah Moazzam Hossain, two "rebel leaders" earlier expelled by Ershad (Xinhua 1 July 1997; The Bangladesh Observer 6 June 1997), were elected Co-Chairmen by a 30 June 1997 one-day council session, although none of the 30 JP lawmakers or the 31 JP presidium members were seen in attendance (Xinhua 1 July 1997). JP Secretary General Manju claimed that whichever faction Ershad headed would be the real JP (Xinhua 1 July 1997). At this time, rebel JP leader Kazi Zafar Ahmed, who disagreed with Ershad's stance toward the AL government, asked Manju to resign from his cabinet post (ibid.).

On 14 September 1997 JP Chairman Ershad withdrew his party's support for the AL government (DPA 14 Sept. 1997). At that time it was expected that the formal split would occur with the resignation of Manju within a few days from the Hasina cabinet (ibid.).

On 2 March 1998 Ershad formally asked Manju to leave his cabinet post or resign as Secretary General (Dhaka Courier 6 Mar. 1998, 17; ibid. 7 Aug. 1998, 14). Receiving no response within 12 hours, Ershad removed him from his position (ibid. 6 Mar. 1998, 17). Ershad's decision was opposed by many in the party as Manju had substantial support among the party as well as among 33 MPs of the party (ibid. 6 Mar. 1998, 17; The Bangladesh Observer 7 Mar. 1998, 1).

In mid-June 1998 the Dhaka Courier reported that the Hasina Cabinet was likely to soon undergo a shuffle and that Manju, who had been chosen as a "trouble-shooter," would likely become the Minister of Energy, replacing Hasina (12 June 1998, 14).
For additional information on the estrangement between Manju, and the JP leadership, please consult the Research Directorate's May 1998 Issue Paper entitled

Bangladesh: Political Developments, December 1996-April 1998.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

The Bangladesh Observer [Dhaka]. 7 March 1998. "Split in JP Surfaces."

_____. 6 June 1997. "JP Leaders Hail Expulsion of Zafar, Moazzem."

_____. 25 April 1997. "Tito Resigns From Party: Anwar Made JP Vice-Chairman."

Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA). 14 September 1997. BC Cycle. "Ex-Bangladesh Strongman Ershad Withdraws Support for Government." (NEXIS)

Dhaka Courier. 7 August 1998. Rashed Chowdhury. "JP in Turmoil."

_____. 12 June 1998. "Cabinet Reshuffle Likely."

_____. 6 March 1998. Rashed Chowdhury. "JP on the Brink."

Inter Press Service (IPS). 25 June 1996. Tabibul Islam. "Bangladesh-Politics: New Government Promises Healing Touch." (NEXIS)

PTI News Agency [New Delhi, in English]. 23 June 1996. "Minority Affairs; Jatiya Party Reportedly Rules Out Power-Sharing With Awami League." (BBC Summary 24 June 1996/NEXIS)

Radio Bangladesh [Dhaka, in Bengali]. 23 June 1996. "Minority Affairs; Jatiya Party Names Acting Parliamentary Leader in Ershad's Absence." (BBC Summary 24 June 1996/NEXIS)

Xinhua. 1 July 1997. "Bangladesh's 3rd Largest Party Formally Splits." (NEXIS)