Leaders, activists and followers of the ruling Awami League have started gathering to join their ‘peace and development procession’. The first phase of the two-day rally is set to start at 4 pm today at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. The programme will be held in response to the BNP's 'one-point' movement demanding the government’s resignation. Over 50 injured in AL-BNP clashes in Khagrachhari AL leaders and activists started gathering in front of the venue at around 1:30 pm from different areas of Dhaka, ignoring the heat. Most of them were seen waiting in Ramna Park, taking refuge from the heat under shades of trees. Awami League leaders earlier said they will bring out processions to resist BNP's “attempts to create an unstable situation.” Awami League candidate Mohammad Ali Arafat wins Dhaka-17 by-polls

August, the month when Bangladesh lost its founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, began today (Sunday) in a sombre mood. A cable of army officers killed the Father of the Nation along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975. Every year, the ruling Awami League and its associate bodies chalk out month-long programmes on the occasion but this year will be different because of the coronavirus outbreak. Awami Swechchasebak League on Saturday midnight observed the month of National Mourning Day with a torch procession on Dhaka streets marching towards Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi. Also read: AL volunteers front ushers in month of mourning Different political and socio-cultural organisations have also chalked out month-long programmes on the occasion. This year, the nation will observe National Mourning Day and the 44th anniversary of the martyrdom of Bangabandhu. Bangladesh Awami Jubo league will distribute the relief to the helpless people and needy people considering the corona situation as part of its month-long programme in the city while Krishak League will also launch blood donation programmes centrally at Bangabandhu Avenue on the day. On August 5, marking the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Shaheed Sheikh Kamal, wreaths will be placed at his portrait on the premises of Abahani Club at Dhanmondi at 8:30am while wreaths will be laid at his grave at Banani Graveyard at 9:15am. On August 8, wreaths will be placed at her grave at Banani Graveyard at 9:00am to observe the birth anniversary of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib. Also read: Month of Mourning: BSA launches 4-week lineup of online events On August 15, marking the martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Mourning Day, homage will be paid to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 at 8:30 am. Homage will also be paid to other August 15 martyrs by laying wreaths at their graves at Banani Graveyard at 9:15am on that day. An AL delegation will pay tributes to the Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at his mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj at 11:00am on the day while special prayers will be arranged at all mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship across the country to observe the National Mourning Day. Also read: Month of mourning begins Saturday Besides, a discussion will be arranged marking National Mourning Day at 3:30pm on August 16 at Bangabandhu Avenue on August 17, while Dhaka city south units of AL will organise a discussion commemorating the countrywide series of bomb attacks that took place on the day in 2005. Bangabandhu’s family members -- Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, Bangabandhu’s brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabad, nephew and eminent journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni and military secretary Colonel Jamil were killed on the fateful night of August 15, 1975.  Bangabandhu’s daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana escaped the assassination as they were in Germany.

The ruling Awami League has announced candidates for the upcoming bypolls to the three parliamentary constituencies of Dhaka-14, Sylhet-3 and Cumilla-5. While Aga Khan Mintu has been picked as the party candidate for Dhaka-14, Habibur Rahman has been named for Sylhet-3 and Abul Hashem Khan for Cumilla-5, the ruling party said in a release on Saturday. A total of 94 aspirants collected nomination papers from the Awami League to try their luck in the bypolls to the parliamentary constituencies. The Awami League said that 34 nomination papers were sold for Dhaka-14, 25 for Sylhet-3, and 35 for Cumilla-5. The bypolls are slated for July 28. The would-be candidates collected forms from Awami League’s President Sheikh Hasia's political office in Dhmonadhi maintaining Covid-19 health protocols, said the party. Also read: Awami League announces candidates for 27 local body polls The three parliamentary seats became vacant due to the deaths of the respective MPs. Sylhet-3 MP Mahmud Us Samad died on March 11, Dhaka-14 MP Aslamul Haque on April 4 and Comilla-5 MP Abdul Matin Khasru passed away on April 14.  Also read: By-elections: 94 aspirants collect nomination papers from the Awami League As voting in these parliamentary constituencies could not take place in the first 90 days due to the Covid-induced lockdown in the country, the bypolls are  slated for next month.

Awami League on Saturday selected its candidates for the fifth phase elections to 31 municipalities, billed for February 28.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Qauder on Saturday said that ensuring jobs for everyone is the biggest challenge for the ruling Awami League.

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said that no controversial candidates will get the ruling party’s nomination in the upcoming Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) elections.