Awami League in search of an ‘Extraordinary’ general secretary

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.