Al: Council for the preparation of elections
The Awami League has been in power for over a decade and is now facing infighting at the internal level, especially between MPs and local leaders.
Under the circumstances, the party held its National Council in late 2022. “The Awami League will face several challenges in the near future, including the upcoming elections, a global scenario leading to various problems at home, extremism, communalism and agitation. To topple the BNP-led government,” said Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the Awami League, stating the goals of the party’s national council.
Although the ruling party has been campaigning about its successes on the development achieved by Bangladesh over the past decade, it has been somewhat overshadowed by the Ukraine war on the national economy after the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The party has to prepare for the upcoming elections amidst the current situation.
Sheikh Hasina did not make any changes in the committee during the National Council. It was almost decided beforehand that she would be re-elected as party chief for the 10th time. Kader was elected general secretary for the third time.
There were no major changes in the committee except reshuffle and promotion of some posts.
According to Quader, party chief Hasina has decided to keep experienced leadership at the forefront to meet the challenges ahead.
The BNP failed to pose any major threat to the Awami League after 2014. But this time she is preparing for a swift movement.
The Awami League is also gearing up to face the BNP’s agitation with tougher measures, which was evident in the opposition party’s refusal to allow it to hold its December 10 rally at Naya Paltan. Later the police raided the BNP office in Naya Paltan and arrested several top leaders. Later, general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee member Mirza Abbas were arrested, indicating how tough the government was going to be on opposition protests.
The Awami League appears firm on the BNP’s demand to hold the elections under a non-party caretaker government. Its leaders said that like the last two elections, the upcoming election would also be held under an elected government.
Although the Grand Alliance is no longer there, a 14-party coalition led by the Awami League still exists. But the coalition members still resent the attitude of the ‘big party’ Awami League.
“There are many challenges before us. Just as we had in the old days, there is hope for better days in the new year as well. We are preparing for the election as it will be held in
upcoming year,” Quader told bdnews24.com.
