Photo: Collected
This time, the Awami League is entering the field again to accelerate the party's organisational activities. The reorganisation work had been put on hold due to the upazila elections. Following Eid-ul-Azha, senior party leaders will meet with division, district, and upazila leaders to resume the restructuring process that was suspended because of the elections and to enhance organisational activity. Additionally, the party is taking action against those who have violated party decisions.
Awami League leaders have noted that party leaders and activists were preoccupied with the Jatiya Sangsad and Upazila elections, but now that both elections are over, the Awami League is looking to return to organisational work.
It is understood that the Awami League made several decisions aimed at making the 12th National Parliament election free, impartial, and participatory. One key decision was allowing individuals to vote as either independent candidates or as party-nominated candidates, thereby keeping the field open. This move was seen as a strategic effort to attract voters to the polls, especially since the main opposition party, BNP, did not participate. However, this decision led to significant divisions at the grassroots level, as more than one candidate from the party contested in the election, creating factions among the workers. Ultimately, 62 individuals became independent MPs associated with the Awami League.
Following the national elections, the Upazila elections began. The first phase took place on May 8, the second phase on May 21, the fourth phase on June 5, and the voting in 19 upazilas, which were closed and postponed for various reasons, concluded on Sunday.
In the recent Upazila elections, the Awami League again kept the field open, not providing party symbols or nominations to any specific candidates. With the BNP abstaining from these polls as well, the competition was mainly among Awami League candidates, leading to further divisions within the party.
This intra-party competition and the influence struggles in the Upazila elections have resulted in incidents of violence. An analysis of these events shows that the factionalism from the last parliamentary elections has had a direct impact. It has been observed that many MPs nominated their preferred candidates, while those who lost in the parliamentary elections also put forward their favored candidates in the Upazila elections. Each faction aimed to secure the election of their preferred candidate to strengthen their constituency.
This intense lobbying and grouping at the grassroots level have led to increased chaos and concern within the party's high command. Furthermore, the party and organisational restructuring processes were completely halted during the Upazila elections following the parliamentary elections. This situation has prompted the party leadership to reconsider their strategies and focus on restoring unity and organisational discipline.
Several sources within the Awami League indicate that with the Upazila elections now concluded and Eid-ul-Azha only a few days away, senior leaders are prepared to re-engage in organisational activities under the direction of the party high command. This issue was discussed in detail during the last two working committee meetings, where the negative impact of the internal chaos on the party was highlighted, and potential actions were deliberated.
It has been decided that after the upcoming Eid, meetings will be held with leaders at the division, district, and upazila levels. During these meetings, ultimatums will be given to those causing disruptions within the party. If they do not comply, the Awami League will take disciplinary action against them. Additionally, the party aims to restart the process of restructuring both the party and its organisation, accelerating the organisational activities that have been delayed for an extended period.
In this regard, Awami League's organising secretary, Advocate Afzal Hossain, told The Daily Messenger that the parliamentary elections have concluded and the Upazila elections have just ended. Now, the process of party discipline and reorganisation will resume.
Another organising secretary of the party, BM Mozammel Haque, stated to The Daily Messenger that the High Command will take all necessary steps to restore organisational momentum. He added that there will be no leniency for those causing disorder; the party will take a strict stand against troublemakers.
Messenger/Fameema
