Photo : Messenger
Country’s ruling party Bangladesh Awami League (AL), in a strategic move eyeing a fourth consecutive term in office, has revealed a set of plans to revolutionise its nomination process.
Ahead of the ensuing 12th parliamentary elections scheduled for January 7 next year, the party insiders have suggested that this initiative is driven by the expectation that their arch-rival BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) may opt to boycott the upcoming elections.
The party, headed by its formidable leader Sheikh Hasina, aims to introduce a significant shift in its nomination strategy by carefully selecting leaders who exhibit unwavering dedication, commitment, and popularity within both the party and their respective constituencies.
Sources within the party indicate that approximately 80 to 90 of the current 261 AL lawmakers might be sidelined in the forthcoming general election due to perceived misdeeds and waning popularity.
In a departure from past practices, the ruling party is poised to nominate around 100 fresh candidates, marking a departure from the status quo. The move is seen as a deliberate effort to rejuvenate the party's image and address concerns related to corruption and the drug trade within its ranks.
Party insiders have hinted that MPs facing allegations of notoriety, controversy, corruption, or involvement in the drug trade, as well as those who have experienced a decline in popularity or advanced in age, may find themselves excluded from the electoral contest.
Furthermore, there is speculation that central leaders, such as presidium members Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman, joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, organising secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, and central committee members Anwar Hossain, Sahabuddin Farazi, and Golam Rabbani Chinu, who were overlooked in the previous election, might secure nominations this time around.
Reports from government sources suggest that dissatisfaction with the party's representatives is particularly pronounced in regions such as Chattogram, Barishal, and the northern areas.
The party aims to remedy this by focusing on nominating young, popular, and dedicated leaders alongside former MPs with a distinguished history of service.
According to Lt. Col. (Retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan, the party has outlined five key criteria for selecting candidates: popularity, involvement with the party, organisational capacity, performance over the past five years, and public image. He emphasised that the party chief, Sheikh Hasina, will evaluate candidates based on these criteria before making final nominations.
In response to a query, he stated, "Based on the survey reports in this regard, I believe that approximately one-third of the MPs are perceived as weak. Consequently, the nominations for 80–90 constituencies may undergo changes."
"It's inevitable that the Awami League has faced more criticism than any other party during its 14-year tenure in power. The party aims to pleasantly surprise the people by introducing fresh candidates into the electoral fray," said a member of the AL nomination board.
In a recent communication, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, a prominent member of the Awami League's presidium, emphasised the imperative need for significant changes in the party's nomination process this time around.
He asserted that individuals facing allegations of notoriety, controversy, corruption, or involvement in the drug trade, as well as those with a tarnished party image, will not be considered for party tickets.
Furthermore, Nanak disclosed plans to establish a 14-party alliance, regardless of prior political affiliations, demonstrating a commitment to a unified approach. In a notable strategic shift, there is also consideration for a thoughtful decision regarding potential defector candidates. The aim is to not only accommodate diverse perspectives within the party but also to strategically boost voter turnout, particularly in pivotal constituencies.
Nanak underlined the party's commitment to navigating these complex dynamics to ensure a robust and inclusive electoral strategy for the upcoming elections.
Simultaneously, the ruling Awami League has initiated the full-fledged distribution of nomination papers starting today (Saturday) at the party headquarters on Bangabandhu Avenue. The
Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, officially inaugurated the process yesterday virtually.
In the latest twist, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies have announced a two-day nationwide dawn-to-dusk shutdown for Sunday and Monday in protest of the election details disclosed by the Election Commission on Wednesday.
Messenger/Disha
