Awami League
Go all out for the victory of AL-nominated candidates in upcoming national election: PM Hasina asks party members
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (August 06, 2023) asked her Awami League party leaders and activists to prepare for the upcoming national election.
“All have to work unitedly to ensure the win of the Awami League-nominated candidates in the next election,” she said while delivering concluding remarks at the special extended meeting of Bangladesh Awami League at her official residence Ganabhaban.
In reply to the call of their party chief, all the leaders attending the meeting raised their hands and expressed their commitment to do so accordingly.
Read: Mass people are our only masters, no one else: PM Hasina tells AL special meet
Issuing directives to all Awami League leaders and activists to prepare themselves for the upcoming national election, Hasina said “Our only strength is the people.”
Noting that the upcoming national elections are very important, she urged her party members to highlight and present to the people the development works that have been implemented in every area during the last 14 years and a half of the Awami League rule.
“All these developments in Bangladesh have been possible because Awami League has been in power," she said.
Read: PMO for increasing leather export to $5 billion within four years
Criticizing the activities of BNP and its leaders, the Awami League President said that the birth of BNP had been an outright sin.
“The birth of the BNP had happened through the illegal seizure of power, through the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and through terrorism," she asserted.
She mentioned that since the Awami League formed the government in 2009, BNP has carried out arson violence, killed people, staged blockade programmes, and committed many other misdeeds.
“But, no movement can harm the country and the people as Awami League is a strong organisation and we are accepted by the people.”
Read: PM Hasina urges private sector to patronize sports and culture
Rather, they (BNP) are gradually being questioned by people, she added.
Hasina called upon all to be vigilant against rumours and misinformation, saying Awami League never bow to anyone.
Mass people are our only masters, no one else: PM Hasina tells AL special meet
Bangladesh's Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (August 06, 2023) said that the ruling Awami League has no other masters other than the mass people of the country.
“The people are our masters and we are accountable to the people only,” she said in categorical terms while delivering her introductory speech at the special extended meeting of the Awami League at her official residence Ganabhaban.
She also said that her party Awami League works for the welfare of the people.
The president of the Awami League asked leaders and workers of her party to highlight the achievements in the last 14 and half years to the grassroots.
Read more: No CCTV cameras in 12th national election
At the same time, she also directed them to strengthen the organisation as the next general election is approaching, saying they will have to earn the trust and confidence of the common people.
Around 5,000 party leaders and elected public representatives from the AL took part in the meeting.
The prime minister said, the country is witnessing massive development and fate of the people is changing as the Awami League has been in the power since 2009 after receiving mandate of the people.
She said that Bangladesh has attained the status of a "developing nation" as a result of the Awami League being in power.
Read more: Shariatpur ASP's unconditional apology rejected
“Awami League has worked with a long-term plan for it,” she said.
She mentioned that Bangladesh’s journey as a developing nation will begin in 2026.
“I would like to tell the people of the country whether or not you want Bangladesh to move forward with the status of a developing country.”
She also directed the leaders and activities of Awami League to ask the people regarding the journey of the developing nation of Bangladesh, as they (the people) are the owners of their votes.
Read more: Five member AL delegation leaves for India at BJP's invitation
She said that If the people want Bangladesh to move forward with the status of a developing nation and to be established, then they should vote for Awami League’s electoral symbol, boat.
"And it (implementation of a developing nation) will be possible if AL gets votes, and no one else can do it," she asserted.
Hasina said Awami League is working to change the fate of people of all professions, including blacksmiths, potters, weavers, and fishers.
“We promise to work for everyone. Awami League has worked for every person; no one else has ever thought or acted for people before,” she said.
Read more: Go all out for the victory of AL-nominated candidates in upcoming national election: PM Hasina asks party members
PM Hasina asked her party leaders and activists to convey these messages to the people and strengthen the organisation at the same time.
“We will build the Golden Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she declared.
She requested the party leaders and activists to go to the grassroot people including beneficiaries of Asrayan projects, and other allowances.
The Prime Minister said that opposition BNP leaders Khaleda Zia and Tareque Zia are all murderers and the country and its people are not safe in their hands. She also called BNP’s founding leader Ziaur Rahman a murderer.
Read more: ‘Your leader studied up to class 8, I completed class 7’: Hero Alom on BNP leader Rizvi calling him ‘uneducated’
“Those who are robbers, corrupts, and murderers; actually Khaleda Zia and Tareque Zia are all murderers. So was Ziaur Rahman,” she observed.
She requested the leaders and activists of Awami League and associate organisations to highlight to the people all the development works that have been made by her government after assuming power.
She said that people usually forget past pain and grief while they are in good condition.
“In Rangpur Monga ( a seasonal food shortage) was a common phenomenon in the past. It disappeared after the Awami League came to power. There is no famine. The reason is that AL is an organisation founded by the Father of the Nation.”
Read more: BNP a ‘horrible blister’ in Bangladesh’s politics: Quader
At the outset of the meeting, AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader also spoke, while Barrister Biplab Barua placed a condolence motion.
Members of AL central committee, central working committee, advisory council, presidents and general secretaries of district, metropolitan, upazila and municipality units of AL, members of parliament, district and upazila parishad chairmen, city corporation and municipality mayors, presidents and general secretaries of AL associate organisations were present at the meeting.
Before every national election, the AL organises such meetings to give guidelines to the party leaders. Last such meeting was held on June 23, 2017 ahead of the 2018 parliamentary polls.
The next general election in the country is due in next December or first week of January.
Read more: BNP in some cases deadlier than dengue: Information Minister
The Awami League has been in power since 2009 after winning three consecutive national elections.
AL not under international pressure ahead of election: Quader
Awami League is not under any international pressure ahead of the 12th parliamentary election; if there’s any pressure it’s from our own conscience, said the party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
“Why should we feel pressure? It is our commitment to hold free, fair elections. If you talk about pressure, then it’s pressure from our own conscience,” he said at a press briefing today (August 03, 2023), shortly after holding a meeting with US Ambassador Peter Haas at AL Central Office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka.
Also read: US has no position on caretaker govt issue: Ambassador Haas after meeting AL delegation
“We have trade relations with America, we maintain friendly ties. The ambassador of the United States came to our party office. They've never been to our office before. He came, and he saw it,” said Quader.
“We talked about the next election. Our commitment remains the same and it is loud and clear. We want peaceful elections. We want free and fair elections. We're talking to everyone. It's our commitment to the people of the country,” he added.
Also read: Not a violation of Vienna Convention: US ambassador on raising issues about domestic political affairs
“It is our sacred duty to protect democracy. We are committed to this responsibility. Bangladesh has an independent Election Commission,” said the AL leader.
In response to a question, Obaidul Quader said, “We didn’t talk about any complaint. The US ambassador didn’t mention caretaker government, dissolution of parliament, resignation of the prime minister either. We talked about free, fair and peaceful elections.”
“The Americans didn’t give us any advice, and there was no talk of dialogue either,” he added.
Also read: US Ambassador Haas holding meeting with AL leaders at Bangabandhu Avenue office
AL bamboozled by BNP movement's googly: Fakhrul
Claiming that the ruling Awami League was clean bowled by their movement's 'googly', BNP Secretry General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday noted "much progress" towards the party's aim of achieving victory on the streets.
“There is another spin (in cricket) called googly by which the batsman is bowled out with the stumps or the middle stump uprooted before he understands anything. Awami League was completely bowled out by BNP’s googly on (July) 28th and 29th,” Fakhrul said while speaking at a protest rally at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan.
The BNP leader also claimed that braving rain and scorching heat, nearly five million (50 lakh) people attended their party’s grand rally at Nayapaltan on July 28, coming to the capital from all over the country, from 'Teknaf to Tetulia'.
Also read: Dhaka North AL unit presses ahead with indefinite protest rally
“People thronging that rally gave a message to Hasina to step down immediately,” the BNP leader observed.
He said they had given a simple programme of sit-ins at the entry points of the capital instead of hartal or blockade the next day (July 29), but hundreds of law enforcers equipped with arms and armoured vehicles, together with the ruling party ‘goons’. took positions at the entry points of Dhaka getting paranoid about their programme: “They opened fire on innocent and unarmed people and utterly repressed them.”
He said the worst thing was that the police beat BNP senior leaders Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Amanullah Aman by throwing them on the streets. “Later, they prepared the script and made stories and videos. Such a blackmailer the regime is!”
The BNP leader said those who do not share connections with the people resort to such blackmail and contrived stories. “People didn't accept their stories. Have those stories belittled our leaders Gayeshwar Babu and Amanullah Aman? You, who created such dirty dramas, have been disgraced.”
Also read: Attacks on sit-ins: BNP’s protest rally begins at Suhrawardy Udyan
Reiterating their party’s demand for holding the next election under a non-partisan government, Fakhrul said they do not want any election under Sheikh Hasina and her government: “We want elections under a caretaker government. If our demand is not accepted in a straight way, then it will be settled on the streets. We’ve come a long way and our victory is certain."
The BNP leader said the AL government will no longer be able to cling to power as it has lost the ground beneath its feet. “This regime is now so scared that they have arrested 1200/1300 people from a programme and prosecuted and injured them," he said.
He said they will soon announce the next course of action for their one-point movement after discussions with other opposition parties.
Fakhrul demanded the release of the recently arrested BNP leaders and activists and the withdrawal of the ‘false’ cases filed against them.
Stating that the government has lost support both at home and abroad, he said Awami League usurped power twice by circumventing fair and credible elections, thus deceiving the country's people.
Also read: Opposition movement is welcome, but won't tolerate arson violence: PM Hasina
Fakhrul ridiculed the visit of a foreign election monitoring delegation with no known track record in the field and comprising some members from the US, China, Japan, and Ireland. Referring to them, the BNP leader said the government hired a few people from abroad.
“One of them came from the US. He went to the Election Commission and told the media that the caretaker government system would not work here. Wah! Who are you brother? No one knows him," Fakhrul chided.
He said the government just hired an American citizen to make such a remark. “They (govt) did it before the last election…this is a bluff to fool people. The government has become so weak that it brought such nameless people to say that elections will be held under them, not under caretaker.''
Fakhrul said the country’s people have taken a decision that no election will be held under Sheik Hasina and her government. He said for the first time in Bangladesh's history, both the leftist and right-wing parties have united to reject elections under the current regime.
The BNP leader said the government must quit and dissolve parliament to pave the way for holding the next polls under a non-party neutral administration.
Also read: US visa policy should be effective on BNP, Quader says
BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said the current government has outdone all previous repressive regimes, including that of Ayub Khan in the Pakistan era, in terms of repressing and suppressing people.
He said the government has now started arresting BNP leaders and workers wholesale to foil their movement. But he warned it would be of no use:“You won't be able to resist this movement, no matter how many leaders and activists you arrest. We’re not afraid of getting arrested. BNP is not a party of cowards. Our leaders and activists are being arrested when they go to the market and even when they go to pray in the mosques. The movement will continue, no matter how much you torture us. The people have taken an oath that no one will return home until the fall of this government.”
Another BNP standing committee member, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, said their sit-in programme at different key points of the capital on Saturday was completely peaceful.
“But astonishingly the police and the ruling party cadres attacked our leaders and activists by violating the people’s constitutional rights…they beat one of our standing committee members like a snake,” he said, referring to the police treatment of Gayeshwar Chandra Roy.
As part of the party’s countrywide programme, BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units arranged the rally at the historic venue to protest the “oppression” on the party leaders and workers during their Saturday’s sit-in programme at different entrances of the capital.
Hundreds of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies from different city areas participated in the rally amid the presence of a huge number of law enforcers all around the venue.
In the wake of attacks on the party’s sit-in on Saturday, Mirza Fakhrul announced the countrywide protest rallies. BNP’s all district and city units also organised a similar programme.
BNP’s sit-in programme at the key entry points of Dhaka on Saturday was marred by clashes and violence, leaving an unspecified number of people injured.
Audit report to EC: Awami League earned Tk 2.85 crore in 2022
Awami League's income last year decreased compared to that of 2021, according to the party's annual financial report for 2022.
Awami League on Monday submitted its annual audit report to the Election Commission.
As per the statement, the party's total income was around Tk 10.71 crore while expenditure amounted to TK 7.87 crore in 2022.
The party’s income in 2021 was Tk 21.23 crore, which was Tk 10.33 crore in 2020.
Awami League today showed its total funds at Tk 73.35 crore so far, while it earned Tk 2.85 crore in 2022.
The main sources of the income were the sale of nomination forms, fees and donations from party members while the main sources of expenditure were salaries and bonuses for employees, the arrangement of seminars, and utility bills.
Awami League candidate Mohammad Ali Arafat wins Dhaka-17 by-polls
The Election Commission recently sent letters to registered political parties, asking them to submit their annual audit reports.
According to the Representation of the People Order, political parties must submit their audit reports by July 31 for the previous year.
Ground for grand rally of Awami League's associate organisations is being ready
If a party does not submit their annual return for three consecutive years, the Election Commission may cancel its registration, it also said.
Awami League’s deputy office secretary Biplob Barua and the election committee of the party submitted the audit report to the EC for the year 2022.
Won’t join any election again under Awami League govt: Hero Alam
US visa policy should be effective on BNP, Quader says
The new US visa policy should be effective on BNP as they are trying to obstruct election through violence and anarchy, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said.
Under the policy, the US can impose “visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members if they are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.”
Read: ‘Which party do they belong to?’: AL Facebook post responds to Fakhrul’s claim with photo of Chhatra Dal leader during yesterday’s clash
"BNP's recent political programmes were nothing but obstruction to the upcoming national election,” Quader, also road, transport and bridges minister, said at a press conference at his Secretariat office today (July 31, 2023).
"We don't want clashes and we won't go on the streets for that. Police will handle the situation and it is their responsibility," he added.
“BNP leaders and activists will block all important entry points of Dhaka and try to disconnect the capital from other parts of the country. In this situation, should the police stay inactive? Police will definitely take action and it is their duty to protect people's lives and property,” said the minister.
“Awami League wants a peaceful environment before and after the election. But BNP wants to remove Sheikh Hasina from power at any cost. So, we will remain vigilant until the election,” Quader added.
Read: Be alert so that anti-liberation forces cannot rise: Law Minister
Those who want election, should not go for conflict, he said.
“No foreign embassy, no foreign delegate has so far said anything about a caretaker government or the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or dissolving the parliament," Quader said.
BNP's demand for a caretaker government did not get any support at home and abroad, Obaidul Quader observed. Among others, Awami League Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua and newly-elected Dhaka-17 MP Mohammad Ali Arafat were present at the briefing.
Clashes break out between BNP men and police at several entry points of Dhaka
Clashes broke out between police and BNP leaders and activists on Saturday when the latter gathered at several entrances of the capital to observe their five-hour sit-in programme.
The clashes broke out at Sonir Akhra, Uttara,Matuail and Gabtoli around 11am when the opposition activists took position there.
Police picked up several BNP leaders including BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Amanullah Aman during the clashes.
BNP leader AmanUllah Aman fell sick during chase and counter-chase with police when he went to Gabtoli to join the sit-ins programme.
Police picked him up while he was lying on the road.
Also read: AL’s Dhaka South unit postpones sit-in program at entry points of capital
Meanwhile, a large number of law enforcers have been deployed at the key entry points of Dhaka centring BNP’s sit-ins as Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Friday night said it will not allow the party to hold their programme.
Political rallies may be banned in future if those cause public suffering: DMP Commissioner
DMP Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruk on Wednesday (July 26, 2023) urged the political parties to hold their programmes without causing public suffering as they may be forced to ban political rallies in future if those become reasons of people’s woes.
A total of nine political parties including Awami League and BNP have sent letters to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) seeking permission to hold rallies in the capital on July 27 but few parties will be allowed, said the DMP chief.
DMP has no such objection to BNP’s marches in capital on July 18, 19: Anee
“To hold political rallies is a democratic right of the political parties but it is the responsibility of the DMP to ensure the security of the people,” he said while talking to reporters after inspecting the overall security measures on the occasion of Holy Ashura over the Tajia procession.He also urged the political parties to plan their programmes on weekly holidays in future instead of working days considering the public suffering.Besides, carrying of sticks and bags in the rallies will be prohibited, he said.
Drive to continue till Dhaka free from mugging: DMP CommissionerReferring to the Tajia procession, the DMP chief said police have been giving importance to security during Tajia procession since the 2015 explosion at a Tajia procession.
Action to be taken if passengers are charged extra fare during Eid journey: DMP CommissionerThe Imambara Hoseni Dalan area will be brought under CCTV surveillance and alongside the law enforcement agencies, plainclothes police will be deployed in the area to ensure foolproof security.Besides, dog squad will be active in the area so that no untoward incident can happen, he said.
Not leaving the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said that BNP is “preparing to foil the election through violence.”
“We will not leave the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends. The country, democracy, development—nothing is safe with them,” he said.
The road, transport, and bridges minister made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting at the party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka this morning.
Read: No possibility of conflict from AL side on July 27 but govt will ensure safety of lives and property: Quader
He also urged party leaders and activists to fight for the country.
“We are going to start a campaign in September—with the aim to win the election, taking all the pro-liberation war forces under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Quader added.
He said that Awami League wants free, fair and peaceful elections. "But BNP, which does not believe in public support, is stockpiling firearms to contest the elections," he said.
Read: Nothing will be gained through conspiracy: Home Minister to BNP
“As Ziaur Rahman did not come to power with public support, BNP too does not have confidence in the people. They (BNP) also know what the election results will be like,” the AL leader said.
Urging party activists to remain alert, Quader said that BNP wants conflict.
Among others, Awami League presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Advocate Kamrul Islam and Dr. Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin; joint general secretaries Dr. Hasan Mahmud and AFM Bahauddin Nashim; leaders of all associate bodies of the party were also present at the meeting.
A day marked by violent clashes as political parties take to the streets across country
At least one person was killed and several hundreds were injured in violent clashes across the country as leaders and activists of Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) took to the streets across the country in a show of force ahead of the next general election.
A young man was killed and 50 people were injured in sporadic clashes between leaders and activists of BNP and Awami League in Laxmipur district town on Tuesday.
According to Mahfuzzaman Ashraf, superintendent of Laxmipur police, both BNP and Awami League brought out processions across the city.
Also read: Not a victory march, it’s a defeat march: Quader on BNP’s program
At 4 pm, the procession of BNP and Awami League mingled at Samad Academy intersection. At one stage, the BNP men tore down banners of Awami League, triggering a chase and counter chase.
The BNP men, numbering 30/40, chased some 15/20 men of Awami League, forcing them to take shelter in a building inside Madin Ullah Housing.
Sajib of Chandraganj was found lying on the ground floor of the building, and he died due to profuse bleeding, police said quoting locals.
Also read: Quit now, people don’t want to see you in power anymore: Fakhrul asks govt
Earlier on Tuesday, BNP's Dhaka march for its one-point demand came under attack near Mirpur's Govt Bangla college.
As part of their one-point movement, BNP started a march towards Old Dhaka from Gabtoli Bus Station around 11:20 am.
Also read: 50 injured in AL, BNP, police clash in Feni
When the march reached near the college in Mirpur around 11:45 am, some youths attacked them, resulting in a clash, witnesses said.