প্রকাশ: 05/11/2022
Awami League has fixed the date of the
next council session. On December 24 the council of this country's oldest and
largest political party will be held. This year's Council of Awami League is
important for many reasons. The
president of the party said some important things in the meeting of the
executive committee. She said, this year's council will be very simple. Of one
day. The council of the political party that has been in power for almost 14
years should have been a big deal. Should have been in a festive atmosphere. But
why not do such a limited arrangement? This is because of the global context. Because
of the intensifying economic crisis in Bangladesh. The World Bank, the United
Nations have announced early warnings about the coming year. It is said that
2023 will be the year of famine. Since 2020, the world has been troubled by
various crises. Corona has put the whole world in a deep uncertainty. Before
the world could overcome from the crisis hit by the corona the Russia-Ukraine
war started. This war has been going on for almost nine months. The war war
brought Europe to the brink. The war is also affecting Bangladesh. The strength
and capacity of our economy is getting gradually weaker. No good news in expat
income either. Foreign exchange reserves continue to decline. Power crisis, gas
crisis has taken the industrial production into a deep uncertainty. There is no
good news anywhere except agriculture. Thousands of crores of money have been
smuggled abroad. There is no visible progress in bringing back laundered money.
Identified money launderers, looters are proudly roaming around. There is no
one to take action against them. Despite this crisis, corruption has not
decreased at all. Bureaucratic excesses have gone to an unbearable level. Only
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is talking about the crisis. Talking about famine.
On Wednesday, the prime minister advised the junior government officials to be
vigilant in dealing with famine. Requested, to practice austerity. Urged that
not even an inch of land should remain uncultivated. She emphasized on
increasing food production. While the Prime Minister talks about austerity and saving,
immoral and ugly plans to build luxury houses for two bureaucrats are being
implemented. The palace will also have a swimming pool! When the country is in
the heat of crisis, how can the bureaucrats not have a little swimming fun. While
the bureaucrats who have become bosses are enjoying the benefits, the ruling
Awami League as a political party continues playing that old record of
criticizing BNP. The statements of some ministers and leaders have now become a
cause of public unrest. Despite being in power for 14 consecutive years, many
known and unknown diseases have taken root in Awami League. Some of them are
becoming chronic. Infiltrating, opportunistic hybrids seem to be devouring the
Awami League now. Some members of the ruling party are like aliens from another
planet. Their cheeks melt like butter in the sun. On the other hand, most of
the tested and sacrificed of the grassroots are cornered. A look of worry on
their faces. There is no chain of command in the team. Conflicts everywhere. Posts
are being sold for money. Post trade, committee trade has become epidemic in
Awami League. In all elections from Union Parishad to Zilla Parishad, Awami
League is the opponent of Awami League. Half of the MPs have no connection with
their constituencies. They are all busy. Almost half of the parliament members
of Awami League are busy with job trade, relief looting, commission trade. They
seem to think, this is the last chance. We’ll have to do everything now. Many
leaders of Awami League said that it is time to change nominations in almost
half of the seats in the upcoming elections. Some of the leaders of the party
have chosen to make catchy statements against BNP to avoid their incompetence
and responsibility. Their words have caused the dying BNP to wake up. While the
prime minister is talking about the crisis openly, some ministers are playing
hide and seek on this issue. All in all, neither the party nor the government
is good. In 2009, Awami League came to power for the second time after 75. This
time Sheikh Hasina has taken Bangladesh to a unique height. But today that
development is questioned. There is not much time left until the next parliamentary
elections. But the Awami League is chaos by various discomforts and criticisms.
In such reality, Awami League has decided to hold its National Council session,
which is very correct and important decision in such situation.
Sheikh
Hasina was elected as the President of Awami League for the first time on
February 15, 1981. Awami League Council was held from 13 to 15 February 1981 at
Hotel Eden premises. In that council there was no option to elect Sheikh Hasina
as the leader to protect the party. Since then, Sheikh Hasina has been serving
as the president of Awami League for 41 years. Even at this moment there is no
alternative of Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Hasina is the sole leader of the party. Without
Sheikh Hasina, this party is in ruins. The Awami League president recently said
in a press conference, "I will not be the president of the Awami League,
if even one councilor does not want to." Which is far from happening. Not
even a single worker even dreams of an alternative to Sheikh Hasina. So, it
goes without saying that there will be no discussion on the post of party chief
in the upcoming council. The post of General Secretary of Awami League is very
important. Awami League's passion and love is associated with this post. Father
of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the general secretary of
Awami League for a long time. He built the organization while being the general
secretary and spread it to the grassroots. General Secretary Sheikh Mujbur
Rahman turned Awami League into a people's organization.
The 'East Pakistan Awami Muslim
League' was formed on 23 and 24 June 1949 at the Rose Garden Democratic Workers
Conference. Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani became the first president of
Awami Muslim League. Shamsul Haque of Tangail became the first general
secretary. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was elected joint general secretary of the
newly formed party. The first general secretary of Awami League, however, could
not do much for the party. In February 1952, Shamsul Haque was arrested for taking
part in the national language movement. He was released from prison in 1953 in
a very ill condition. Shamsul Haque lost his mental balance after his release
from prison. The party's first general secretary was expelled from the Awami
League in 1953. On November 14, 1953, the first council of Awami League was
held at the Mukul cinema hall in Dhaka. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the
general secretary of Awami League in this council. And from that point beagn
the awakening chapter of Awami League. Common people were angry against the
misrule of Muslim League. Bengalis had support and sympathy for Awami League
since the beginning. But Bangabandhu started the work of strengthening the
organization by involving the people with the organization. Whenever General
Secretary Sheikh Mujib was out of jail, he traveled all over the country and
developed the organization. On September 21, 1955, the Council of Awami League
was held at Rupmahal Cinema Hall in Dhaka. Sheikh Mujib became the general
secretary of this council for the second time. Meanwhile, Sheikh Mujib became
the lifeblood of Awami League. Awami League turned into a vibrant organization
under the leadership of the young and courageous. Awami League became the
symbol of hope and aspirations of Bengalis. On February 7-8, 1957, a special
council of Awami League was held at Kagmari, Tangail. The conflict of Awami
League was revealed in this conference. Maulana Bhashani resigned as party
president in March after the Kagmari conference. Awami League Council was held
on 13 and 14 June 1957 at Shabisthan Cinema Hall in Dhaka. Bhashani's
resignation letter was not accepted in this council. Bhashani was retained as
the president of Awami League despite his resignation. But a few days later, on
25-26 July 1957, a democratic conference was held in Dhaka on Bhashani's
initiative. Awami League officially broke through this conference. A party
named National Awami Party (NAAP) emerged. At that time, Maulana Abdur Rashid
Tarkbagish was made acting president. Meanwhile, Awami League became Mujib's
organization. On October 7, 1958, military rule was imposed in Pakistan. All political
activities stopped. On January 25 and 26, 1964, a meeting of the walking
committee of the Awami League was held at the residence of Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman, the general secretary of the party. In this meeting it was decided to
revive the party. Tarkabagish became the president and Sheikh Mujib became the
general secretary. In this continuation, Awami League Council was held in
Dhaka's Eden premises on March 6 and 7. Tarbagish became the president of the
council. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became general of Awami League for the fourth time.
General Secretary Sheikh Mujib became 'extraordinary' during this time. The
main leader of Awami League. The history after that is the history of the
Bengali liberation. Bangabandhu's 6 points, Agartala Conspiracy Case, Mass
Uprising of 69. Election of 70. Sheikh Mujib became the guide of liberation of
the Bengali nation. Another name of Bangladesh. On March 18, 1966, 6 points
were approved in the council of Awami League. In that council, Sheikh Mujib,
the most effective and extraordinary general secretary in the history of Awami
League, was elected as the president of the party. After Bangabandhu, another
short-lived politician Tajuddin Ahmed became the general secretary of Awami
League. On March 18, 1966, he became the general secretary of Awami League. As
Bangabandhu was the leader of the people, the poetry of public awakening;
Tajuddin was a secret organizer. An organized leader and a wise politician. His
adoration was to fulfill Bangabandhu. On August 27, 1967, the Council of Nikhil
Pakistan Awami League was held. This time AHM Kamruzzaman became the general
secretary of Awami League. The last council of Awami League before independence
was held on June 4, 1970. Tajuddin Ahmed became general secretary for the
second time in this council. This council was very important for Awami League. It
was the leadership elected in this council that brought Awami League's historic
victory in the 1970 elections. Brought the development mandate of Bangladesh. In
March of 1971, Bangabandhu's plan for independence was perfectly implemented by
the 'extraordinary' general secretary Tajuddin Ahmed.
As the Council of June 4, 1970 was
very important for the Awami League, this year's Council has also put the Awami
League in a tough situation. Awami League made a historically correct decision
by electing Tajuddin Ahmed as General Secretary in the 70's council. The reason
why Bangabandhu chose Tajuddin as general secretary can be understood in the
liberation war of 71. Another evidence of Bangabandhu's organizational thinking
and political foresight is found in making Tajuddin the general secretary. In
my opinion, it would have been very difficult to form a government in exile and
organize the liberation war, if the general secretary of Awami League had been
someone else at that time. After 75, those who became General Secretary of
Bangladesh Awami League are all good leaders. Late Begum Sajeda Chowdhury,
Abdur Razzak, Zillur Rahman, Abdul Jalil, Syed Ashraful Islam, Obaidul Quader
are all national leaders. All of them are selfless and self-sacrificing leaders
of Awami League. But none of them, except two, became 'extraordinary' general secretaries.
Some of them became confused at the time of crisis. Couldn't make the right
decision. After the tragedy of 1975, Syeda Zohra Tajuddin took the initiative
to reorganize the Awami League. On April 3 and 4, 1977, Awami League Council
was held on a small scale at Hotel Eden. But before the start of the council,
Awami League's conflict became public. Zohra Tajuddin was declared the convener
in the face of intense controversy. She was given the responsibility to form
the convening committee within 10 days. From 3 to 5 April 1978, Awami League was
held. Abdul Malek Ukil became the president in this council. Abdur Razzak,
beloved of Bangabandhu, a skillful organizer, was elected general secretary. At
that time Abdur Razzak had an opportunity to become the 'extraordinary' general
secretary. But Abdur Razzak got stuck in the narrow alley of group interest and
confusion. Awami League without Bangabandhu became a wayward, confused and
divided political organization. Voices from the grassroots raised, Sheikh
Hasina is needed. There was no other option to save Awami League. Awami League
was reborn in the Council of 81. As Sheikh Hasina became the president, there
was an awakening in the grassroots of Awami League. The supporters of
Bangabandhu's organization are hopeful. A unique opportunity to become immortal
in history came before the skillful organizer Abdur Razzak. This leader had a
unique opportunity to be a symbol of loyalty alongside Bangabandhu's legacy. But
Abdur Razzak could not become the 'extraordinary' general secretary on the
basis of group interest, my man policy. To make Sheikh Hasina's path difficult,
Abdur Razzak stepped into the path of factional conflict. Chhatra League was
disbanded on May 1, 1982 under his initiative. Awami League was also collapsing
in that trend. Bakshal was formed on October 22, 1983 with Mohiuddin Ahmed as
president and Abdur Razzak as general secretary. Awami League was in crisis
again. Awami League President Sheikh Hasina assigned Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury as
general secretary in this difficult situation. As Acting General Secretary, she
gradually became 'extraordinary'. Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury proved that an
organization can be built if it is loyal to the leader and loyal to the ideals.
Sajeda Chowdhury became the Kandari of difficult times by obeying the leader's
orders to the letter. When she became the full general secretary in the council
of 87, the Awami League turned around under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. After
Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Zillur Rahman became the general secretary of Awami
League in the council from 19 to 21 September 1992. He was also a symbol of
faithfulness. Zillur Rahman was not a charismatic leader. But in terms of loyalty
and faithfulness to the leader, he will remain an exemplary leader forever. Abdul
Jalil was also faithful. He was a confidant of the party president. He inquired
about the workers. Worked day and night for the organization. But he could not
show the strength in difficult times. Shocked by the shock of One Eleven, Jalil
raised many questions in politics. This burnt-out leader in Awami League could
not use the opportunity to become an 'extraordinary' general secretary. Late
Syed Ashraful Islam became the 'extraordinary' general secretary despite not
being in close contact with the workers. The 'minus formula' was invented to
implement the depoliticization process in One-Eleven. The Awami League
president was arrested for implementing the 'minus formula'. In the 70s,
Bangabandhu showed political wisdom by making Tajuddin Ahmed the general
secretary. Sheikh Hasina also showed political prudence by making Syed Ashraful
Islam Acting General Secretary before her arrest. Averse to publicity,
sequestered from activists, Syed Ashraf became 'extraordinary' in the crisis.
He played an important role in keeping the Awami League united.
Syed Ashraf liked to stay out of
publicity. He did not speak much. But when he spoke, he spoke precious words. The
people of the country believed and liked his words. I can still remember his
words, during the rampage of Hefazat-e-Islam in May 2013. What a strong, powerful
statement. The whole country people were assured by those words. Syeda Ashraf
proved that the general secretary's job is not to look at the paper every day
and say the same thing over and over again. The general secretary should be a
symbol of trust. His message should be personable. This time, the grassroots
workers of Awami League have only one demand in the council. An 'extraordinary'
general secretary. Who will be loyal to the leader. Be steadfast in ideals. Who
can take the right decision in times of crisis, care about the workers, will
stand by the tested and the self-sacrificted. Will work day and night for the party.
Awami League has leaders who have come from the grassroots. Times ahead are
going to be more difficult. There is no alternative to electing such an
'extraordinary' General Secretary at this time.
প্রধান সম্পাদকঃ সৈয়দ বোরহান কবীর
ক্রিয়েটিভ মিডিয়া লিমিটেডের অঙ্গ প্রতিষ্ঠান
বার্তা এবং বাণিজ্যিক কার্যালয়ঃ ২/৩ , ব্লক - ডি , লালমাটিয়া , ঢাকা -১২০৭
নিবন্ধিত ঠিকানাঃ বাড়ি# ৪৩ (লেভেল-৫) , রোড#১৬ নতুন (পুরাতন ২৭) , ধানমন্ডি , ঢাকা- ১২০৯
ফোনঃ +৮৮-০২৯১২৩৬৭৭