Dhaka, June 21 -- With the collapse of the Awami League government, the Jatiya Party, already on the back foot in national politics, has descended into fresh turmoil, exposing deep internal divisions over plans for a central council.

Amid growing unease among grassroots supporters, renewed talk of a split is echoing through the party founded by military ruler-turned-politician HM Ershad.

A faction of senior leaders, led by party co-chairmen Anisul Islam Mahmud and Ruhul Amin Howlader, is now seeking to remove Ershad's brother, GM Quader, from the party's leadership.

Their stated aim is to distance the party from what they call the "sin" of its cosy ties with the Awami League.

In a parallel effort to reposition the party, these leaders...