This Response to Information Request should be considered in conjunction with Response to Information Request BGD23397.E of 1 April 1996, which is available at Regional Documentation Centres.

Sources differ on the creation date of the Janadal Party. According to Reuters, President Ershad "helped to launch a new political party, the Janadal" in 1984 (2 Mar. 1985), whereas Inter Press Service (IPS) reports that it was launched in December 1983 (26 Feb. 1985). Several sources refer to the Janadal as "General Ershad's party" (The Economist 20 July 1985; Reuters 23 Nov. 1984), while others refer to it as "government-backed" (IPS 21 Aug. 1985; AP 26 Sept. 1984) or pro-government (AP 5 Aug. 1985; The New York Times 28 Sept. 1984).

According to Reuters and the Associated Press (AP), Mahbubur Rahman served as secretary-general of the Janadal Party (30 Sept. 1986; 26 Sept. 1984), although neither source indicated the dates of his tenure. Additional names of Janadal officials, other than those provided in the attachments to Response to Information Request BGD23397.E, could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

According to The Economist, the Janadal Party won approximately 40 per cent of the contested seats in the May 1985 local elections (20 July 1985). IPS reported that the Janadal Party secured over half of the 460 seats for rural administrators (1 June 1985).

According to Xinhua, the National Front was formed in August 1985 and consisted of the Janadal (People's Party), the United People's Party (UPP), the Democratic Party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (Shah Aziz Rahman) and the Muslim League (Siddiqui) (1 Jan. 1986). IPS states that the National Front consisted of the "government-backed" Janadal Party, the "dissident faction" of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Moslem League (Siddiqui), the United People's Party (UPP), and the Ganotantrik Party (21 Aug. 1985), which Xinhua indicates is another name for the Democratic Party (Xinhua 3 July 1985).

A Xinhua report of 1 January 1986 states that the Jatiyo (National) Party was formed that same day "through conversion of a National Front." This source also provides information on the platform of the Jatiyo Party.

A 30 September 1986 Reuters report refers to the Janadal Party as "now defunct."

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.

References

The Associated Press (AP). 5 August 1985. AM Cycle. "Thirteen Injured in Bombings at Courthouse." (NEXIS)

_____. 26 September 1984. AM Cycle. Stephen R. Wilson. "Dozens Arrested On Eve of Strike." (NEXIS)

The Economist. 20 July 1985. "Progress in Bangladesh Means Not Going Backwards." (NEXIS)

Inter Press Service (IPS). 21 August 1985. Tabibul Islam. "Bangladesh: Progovernment Parties to Form Front." (NEXIS)

_____. 1 June 1985. Tabibul Islam. "Bangladesh: Ershad Gains in Local Elections." (NEXIS)

_____. 26 February 1985. Tabibul Islam. "Bangladesh: President and Opposition Face Off Over Elections." (NEXIS)

The New York Times. 28 September 1984. Late City Final Edition. "Around the World; 5 Die in Bangladesh During Political Strife." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 30 September 1986. PM Cycle. "Ershad Names Fired Minister as Special Adviser." (NEXIS)

_____. 2 March 1985. AM Cycle. Atiqul Alam. "Many Opposition Politicians..." (NEXIS)

_____. 23 November 1984. PM Cycle. Atiqul Alam. "Ershad to Extend His Tenure as Army Chief." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 1 January 1986. "New Government-Backed Party Formed in Bangladesh." (NEXIS)

_____. 3 July 1985. "Bangladesh Cabinet Expanded." (NEXIS)

Attachment

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 1 January 1986. "New Government-Backed Party Formed in Bangladesh." (NEXIS)

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