by Ali Asif Shawon in Dhaka Tribune, July 25, 2023
The ruling Awami League is preparing its leaders to contest the next national election and defend against the opposition’s movement by increasing its presence on the streets.
The party is adamant on holding the next election in a timely manner under the current administration as per the constitution, regardless of whether the BNP and other opposition political parties join the polls or not.
The Awami League will not leave the BNP unchallenged on the ground, the ruling party’s top brass told Dhaka Tribune.
Presidium Member Kazi Zafarullah yesterday said: “Nothing will go unchallenged. If BNP-Jamaat thought they would be able to do whatever they want with the blessing of foreigners, that is not going to happen.”
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently in Italy to attend the UN Food Systems Summit. After returning from Italy, she will join a massive divisional rally in Rangpur, party sources said.
The premier is expected to give directions on the next parliamentary election during the rally.
Subsequently, on August 6, the Awami League president is scheduled to sit in a special extended meeting at Ganabhaban with leaders of the party’s central working committee, advisory council, and national committee, district, city and upazila unit presidents and secretaries, parliament members, chairpersons of district councils and upazila parishads, Awami League members of city corporations, and presidents and secretaries of the party’s associate bodies.
Party insiders said the special extended meeting is very important, as all important leaders of the party from across the country will be in attendance, so the premier is expected to give a clear message on how to secure victory in the upcoming national polls.
The party and its alliance partners will conduct regular programs from August till the election, including programs to counterbalance the BNP’s movement.
The three youth wings of the Awami League – Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, and Chhatra League – have already called a massive rally in Dhaka on July 27 to counter the BNP’s program the same day.
The Awami League plans to hold programs on the same day as the BNP whenever they are announced, several leaders said on condition of anonymity.
Asked if such counter programs are creating panic among the general people, ruling party leaders said the people are with them and the party is increasing vigilance to save them from any violence perpetrated by the opposition activists.
Muhammad Faruk Khan, another Presidium member of the Awami League, told Dhaka Tribune: “The ruling party is not giving counter programs, but the programs have been called to protect the lives and livelihoods of the general people as BNP and their ally, Jamaat, have long been conducting violent activities in the name of political programs across the country.”
AFM Bahauddin Nasim, a joint general secretary, said: “The Awami League will not go for confrontation with anyone, but will resist the BNP and Jamaat’s violent activities in association with people and law enforcement agencies.
“We do not want to participate in violent activities, but we know how to stop violence.”
https://www.dhakatribune.com/election/2023/07/24/awami-league-struggles-to-attract-voters-to-centres
