Awami League
Awami League united under Sheikh Hasina's leadership: Quader
Minister for Road, Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader said on Sunday that Awami League is united under the leadership of party President Sheikh Hasina.
He said this while talking to journalists after paying tribute at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 in the capital.
Earlier, the newly-elected Awami League Central Working Committee and Advisory Council led by Premier Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman this morning.
“We elected the leadership in a democratic way at the conference; most of the senior leaders were reelected,” he said, adding that PM Sheikh Hasina understands the minds of party activists and leaders.
Read more: Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader reelected AL President, Gen Secretary
He observed that there are manifold challenges before the party centering the next national election, crisis being faced by the country due to global circumstances, militancy, and anti-government movement by the BNP.
The party president decided to keep the experienced leadership to face the upcoming challenges.
Quader said that he became general secretary of the party three times and his duties have increased.
“It is my fortune that I obtained responsibility of Awami League and it is the decision of the Premier Sheikh Hasina,” he added.
Read more: AL will always stand by the nation no matter what: Quader
New AL central committee pays tribute to Bangabandhu
The newly-elected Awami League Central Working Committee and Advisory Council led by party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman this morning.
Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina first laid a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 in the capital.
Read more: AL National Council: Not easy to lead both party and government, says PM
The Prime Minister stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to the memories of the architect of Bangladesh’s independence.
Later, Sheikh Hasina along with members of the Central Working Committee and Advisory Council of the party placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
Sheikh Hasina was elected President of Bangladesh Awami League — the country's oldest political party — for the 10th consecutive term, while Obaidul Qader was re-elected general secretary for the third time in the 22nd National Council held on Saturday (December 24).
AL National Council: Not easy to lead both party and government, says PM
Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said it is a hard job to lead both the government and the party.
“I am cordially accepting the responsibility that you have given to me. But I think new leadership has to come up. I hope that you will bring new leadership in the future,” she said.
The prime minister said this while speaking at the second session of the 22nd National Council of ruling party Awami League, where she was elected as the president of the party for the 10th consecutive time, starting from 1981.
The second session of the council was held at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).
Hasina said that many people tried to destroy the Awami League, but failed.
“AL always changes the fate of the people, people always get something whenever AL comes to power. Whenever AL comes to power, it develops the lives of the masses, and the country's image and dignity are also enhanced,” she said.
Read more: AL leaders, activists must remain united to resist conspiracies: PM at party’s nat’l council
"Keeping that in mind, we have to advance our party through strengthening it," she added, before turning her focus to the next general election. “The next election will be held in 2024, we have public support, and we have to increase our votes by consolidating the support.”
In this regard, she put emphasis on increasing membership of the party. “There must not be any deviation in this connection,” she said.
She also asked the AL leaders and activists to remain beside the people of the country at all times in order to serve them.
Read more: AL’s struggles will end when it can ensure smiles on the faces of people: PM Hasina
AL’s struggles will end when it can ensure smiles on the faces of people: PM Hasina
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said that on February 15, 1996, Khaleda Zia declared herself prime minister through vote rigging.
“But the people of Bangladesh did not accept this vote rigging. People of this country did not accept that (election). At that time, there was a mass upsurge and movement. Khaleda Zia was compelled to resign on March 30, 1996,” she said.
The ruling party chief was delivering her inaugural speech at the 22nd national council of the country's oldest political party — aiming to elect new leadership.
She said that the government has empowered the Election Commission to work independently.
Briefly describing various government initiatives to strengthen the Election Commission, the PM said if AL had ill motives to hold an election like that by the Khaleda Zia government on February 15, 1996, it would have formed an Election Commission like the “MA Aziz Commission”.
Read more: AL leaders, activists must remain united to resist conspiracies: PM at party’s nat’l council
“But we did not do that. We have confidence in the people. And we work based on that trust and confidence,” she said.
The Prime Minister said that Awami League ensured people's voting rights, which is also a constitutional right of a citizen.
"We enacted a law for the appointment of the Election Commission. We made the whole process transparent."
Regarding use of EVM, she said that she does not know if there is any scope to manipulate the system.
Talking about allegations of corruption in the Padma Bridge project, she said that she joined politics to serve the country and the people, not to take anything. “For that reason, as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s daughter, I can’t accept tarnishing the image of Bangladesh.”
The Prime Minister said Awami League will march ahead to turn Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country, facing all attacks, and none can take the country back to where it was.
She said that the history of Bangladesh is witness that only Awami League can take the country forward.
Referring to the speech of the Father of the Nation, she said, struggles of Awami League will end on the day when it can ensure smiles on the faces of the common people.
The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh has become a developing country in the golden jubilee year of independence as her party has been in power continuously since the general election in 2008.
In this regard, she mentioned that skilled manpower are being developed in the country fit to use e-devices to establish Bangladesh as a developed, prosperous and a smart nation in 2041.
Sheikh Hasina said that the government has taken steps to introduce online services like e-economy, e-education and e-health care through the use of IT systems.
For the purpose, IT parks and incubation centers have been set up in the country to develop skilled manpower and create employment for them, she added.
She renewed her call for maintaining austerity in the use of gas, electricity and water as well as stressed the need for increasing food production to face the future crisis.
Read more: Stop provoking war: PM makes call to world leaders from AL’s nat’l council
While placing AL's organisational report at its 22nd national council, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said that Awami League is ready for the next election.
In this regard, he uttered the famous words “khela hobe” (game is on).
Obaidul Quader, also the road, transport and bridges minister, said that the “game” will begin soon against “arson attacks, vote rigging, corruption and Hawa Bhaban conspiracy”.
"Awami League will have to survive to save Bangladesh," he said.
In this connection, he said that there is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina.
He mentioned that the Prime Minister has been the most popular, courageous, and efficient administrator and diplomat in the last 47 years.
AL will always stand by the nation no matter what: Quader
General Secretary of Awami League and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that the party will always stand by the people of Bangladesh no matter what.
He was speaking at his party’s 22nd National Council at Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday.
“Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders know that they won’t be able to unseat Sheikh Hasina’s government if they participate in the elections. That’s why they tried to kill Sheikh Hasina 20 times. BNP leaders think that the only way to hold onto power forever is by removing Awami League from there, which is impossible. BNP couldn’t do it on December 10, they won’t be able to do it ever,” Quader said.
Read: AL leaders, activists must remain united to resist conspiracies: PM at party’s nat’l council
Quader added that his party will face BNP’s “terrorism, vote rigging, corruption and plundering” with an iron hand through election and movement.
“For the last 47 years, Sheikh Hasina has been the most popular leader of the country. She has to remain in power if development and achievements have to continue,” Quader added.
Sheikh Hasina inaugurates 22nd National Council of Awami League
The 22nd National Council of Bangladesh's oldest political party Awami League kicked off this morning -- aiming to elect new leadership.
The theme of this year's council is “Development journey under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina with the determination to build a developed, prosperous, and smart Bangladesh of Bangabandhu’s dream”.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the council by hoisting the national flag and releasing pigeon, baloons at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader accompanied her at the time.
After hoisting the national and party flags, a cultural event was held.
Also read: 22nd Nat’l Council: Awami League councilors start thronging Suhrawardy Udyan
Obaidul Quader presented the report of general secretary while AL Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua presented the death references, which was followed by one-minute silence. AL Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap conducted the programme.
AL presidium member and reception committee convener Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim delivered the welcome address.
As part of maintaining austerity due to the global economic crisis, the council was arranged in a simple manner. Previous councils were held over two days, but this time, the council go on for one day to minimise costs.
The 21st council of the party was held on December 20-21, 2019.
22nd Nat’l Council: Awami League councilors start thronging Suhrawardy Udyan
Thousands of Awami League leaders and activists have gathered at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan this morning to make their 22nd National Council a success.
The theme of this year’s council is: “Development journey under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina with the determination to build a developed, prosperous and smart Bangladesh of Bangabandhu’s dream”.
According to party sources, the council usually goes on for two days but this time, it will be held for a day. Keeping the global recession in mind, AL has taken this initiative of curtailing the programme.
About 7,000 councilors and lakhs of delegates are expected to participate in this year’s National Council.
The first session will begin at 10:30 am today. There will be a break for lunch and prayers.
Party sources said that Awami League will form its executive committee, taking into consideration the 12th national election scheduled for early 2024.
Also read: AL invites BNP leaders to its 22nd national council Saturday
Those who will assume leadership will confront all domestic and foreign conspiracies and work to implement the election manifesto of Awami League.
A spectacular stage has been erected in the shape of a boat at Suhrawardy Udyan. The stage is 80 feet long and 44 feet wide.
There will be five gates for entry. One of these is a VIP gate, while the other four are for councilors. The gates were opened for councilors and delegates from 7 am. Councilors and delegates are seen entering the venue through the gates amid tight security.
PM mourns death of Sweden AL leader Obaidul Haque
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Awami League's Sweden chapter leader Obaidul Haque.
Obaidul was the founding general secretary and also a honorary advise of Sweden AL chapter .
Read more: PM mourns Ekushey Padak winning journalist Ranesh Maitra
In the message of condolence, AL President Hasina prayed for eternal peace of his departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family.
Police scale up security ahead of AL council Saturday, dismiss security threat
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq Friday said they have scaled up security ahead of the 22nd national council of the Awami League (AL) in the Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital Saturday.
He, however, dismissed any security threat surrounding the council which is likely to see the participation of "more than one lakh leaders and activists" of the ruling party.
The DMP commissioner was speaking with the media after visiting the Suhrawardy Udyan Friday.
Read more: 22nd Nat'l Council: AL to focus on “smart” leadership aligned with Smart Bangladesh goal
The security arrangements in the area were made keeping Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in mind, he said.
"The prime minister survived many attempts on her life in the past. So, we have beefed up security and vigilance this time," Golam Faruq added.
About the escape of two convicted militants from a Dhaka court on November 20, he said: "They will be arrested soon. We have been able to identify their associates already. We will arrest the rest of them soon."
"There is no terrorist threat (in the country now)," the DMP commissioner added.
22nd Nat'l Council: AL to focus on “smart” leadership aligned with Smart Bangladesh goal
Awami League is focusing on youth and “smart” leadership – with the determination to achieve its ‘Smart Bangladesh’ goal – by confronting conspiracies at home and abroad.
Some senior leaders said the 22nd National Council of Awami League is going to present a smart, organised and acceptable leadership to face the imminent challenges.
Awami League will hold its National Council at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan on December 24.
Read more: Bangladesh has changed a lot under Awami League govt: PM Hasina
The main theme of this year’s council is: “Development journey under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina with the determination to build a developed, prosperous and smart Bangladesh of Bangabandhu’s dream”.
According to party sources, the council usually goes on for two days but this time, it will be held for a day. Keeping in mind the global recession, the party has taken this initiative of curtailing the programme.
The budget of the 21st AL National Council was Tk 3.43 crore while the budget for this year’s council is a reduced Tk 3.13 crore.
About 7,000 councillors and lakhs of delegates will participate in this year’s National Council. The party started distributing councillor and delegate cards from Wednesday.
The first session will begin on December 24 at 10:30 am. Leaders and activists will come to Suhrawardy Udyan early in the morning. There will be a break for lunch and prayers.
Party sources said that Awami League will form its executive committee, taking into consideration the 12th national election scheduled for early 2024. Those who will assume leadership will confront all domestic and foreign conspiracies and work to implement the election manifesto of Awami League.
Read more: Awami League never wasted a single taka of Bangladesh’s money: PM
Besides, the leaders will also work to highlight the development and achievements of the government to the countrymen. Awami League intends to go for leaders from among honest, courageous, idealistic and tested activists.
Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, a member of the presidium of the party, said that this council is committed to ensuring a smart Bangladesh by 2041. Among the former leaders of Chhatra League, those who have demonstrated maturity in politics and are loyal to the party can be chosen.
He also said the party will give efforts to fulfil the quota of women in leadership.
Saying that Awami League is a “smart party”, Joint General Secretary and Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said the ruling party is always “the first to think what needs to be done to advance the nation.”
“Awami League has established Digital Bangladesh. Now, it will also ensure Smart Bangladesh. Our country lagged behind for decades during the first, second and third industrial revolutions, but now we are not behind in the fourth industrial revolution under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina,” he also said.
Read more: Awami League is fighting to institutionalise democracy: Quader
Joint General Secretary of Awami League, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, said that the 12th national election will be held after one year. “Awami League will have a strong leadership, consisting the young and elderly, who can work for the party along with Sheikh Hasina to build a smart Bangladesh,” he said.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told UNB that every council brings new faces to lead the party. This trend will continue in this council as well, he said.
Ahead of the 22nd National Council of Awami League, the last executive meeting of the current committee will be held today at 6 pm at Ganabhaban, the official residence of party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Obaidul Quader requested the invited members of the central executive committee of Awami League to attend the meeting in accordance with the health protection rules.
A spectacular stage is being built in the shape of a boat at Suhrawardy Udyan. This will include the development and progress of the current government. The stage is 80 feet long and 44 feet wide.
There will be five gates for entry. One of these is a VIP gate, while the other four are for councillors. The gates will be opened for councillors and delegates from 7 am.