Dhaka:  With an eye on interim election, ruling Awami League (AL) has recently speeded up its organisational activities, including national council. 

Many ministers and lawmakers are frequently visiting their constituencies and meeting local leaders and activists.

Party leaders said they had received instructions from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the party chief, in this regard.

All organisational activities in fact focus on elections that can be held at any suitable time.

The government is planning for an interim election, which, according to the policy makers, will be inclusive of all other parties, according to the comments from two AL central leaders who did not want to be named.

They also hinted at the participation of a section of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders in the election.

Election preparations underlie party activities

According to the two heavy-weight leaders, AL may find it difficult to hold to power for five years with the help of 5 January elections in 2014.  The government may be able to keep political atmosphere calm by propagating about the developments it made during this time, but it will be increasingly hard for the government to control international pressures.

AL has increased its organisational activities such as maintaining regular communication among the leaders and activists of the district-upazila-union and holding conferences. 

Some activists said AL, as an election-bound party, is paying attention to the organisational activities as a part of its election preparations.

Meanwhile, the party officials said its central conference will be held by December and as a part of the conference they are increasing their organisational activities.

AL presidium member Kazi Jafarullah, being asked about the interim election, said, ‘BNP is on the verge of destruction. I don’t think BNP can achieve the reliance and trust of people.’
He said, ‘Everything is possible in this country for the sake of its wellbeing and demand of the time, it is Awami League’s political norm.’

AL organising secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said, ‘Awami League is always ready to tackle any situation. It will take steps according to the need of the circumstance.’

It has been known that the lawmakers are also visiting their constituencies as a part of their election preparations in guise of organisational activities.

The lawmakers said they have been ordered to do so by the centre.  

Central organising secretary of Rajshahi AL Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapan, also a lawmaker of Jaipurhat, said, ‘We have concentrated in our organisational actions to activate and organise our party. We are organising district conferences, upazila sessions and union conferences.’

He said, ‘The party lawmakers are visiting their constituencies and triggering public relations. The lawmakers increased their activities in their own areas according to the central orders.’

Rangpur division AL organising secretary, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, also a lawmaker of Dinajpur, said, ‘We are doing everything for making our party strong.’

He said a total of 60 conferences in the district level completed and 90% of the upazila sessions are finished till date.

Different BNP for the election?

Some leaders of the ruling AL are working on how the party wants BNP in the election. Trial of Khaleda Zia in various allegations including corruption charges is underway, the leaders claimed. The verdicts in these cases are due anytime. If convicted, Khaleda Zia cannot contest the election. The successor of the Zia family, Tarique Rahman, also the senior vice-chairman of BNP is not a concern for the government as he is abroad escaping corruption charges. 

Besides, a process has been running to form ‘another’ BNP with the powerful party leaders accused in several cases. Influential AL leaders have been maintaining regular contact with these leaders, confirmed an AL presidium member.  

AL no more wants to see Jamaat affiliated with BNP, informed a reliable AL leader. The ruling AL wants the BNP top leaders to announce the party’s break up with Jamaat. Several AL leaders including its general secretary are working to materialise the tactics. 

Sayed Ashraful Islam did not comment on this though. However, in the district conference of AL in Sherpur, Ashraful Islam gave a hint of holding an ‘uncommon’ election. He said, ‘The next election will be a different, competitive one’.  Agriculture Minister, Matia Chowdhury, also the Sherpur lawmaker, was present at the conference.  

AL leaders believe the recently ended ‘failed’ movement of BNP creates crisis of confidence and faith among the leaders-activists from the top to the grassroots level of the party. The supporters of BNP are also down inside. 

AL leaders also said that BNP think tanks are considering changes in the party's central power. A group of BNP leaders are ready to quit the party to join AL. The initiative is also in progress in the grassroots level as well. AL top leaders deem these as addition of power to their party.  

When asked on the issue Health Minister, Mohammad Nasim, also an AL presidium member said, ‘At present, BNP is not a factor in the country’s politics. BNP has become an isolated party because of its failed movement, arsonist activities, and killing of people in last three months.’

Nasim said, ‘BNP is shaking inside with the crisis of faith and confidence over leadership.’

‘Splitting is nothing new for BNP’, Nasim taunted.

‘Same thing may happen in future, but Awami League has no plan yet in this regard’.