Amid the sweeping victory of Awami League’s candidates in the ongoing fifth Upazila Council elections, the ruling party has come down heavily on the party leaders who sided with the rebel candidates during the polls.
At a meeting of the party’s Central Working Committee at Ganabhaban on Friday (Apr 5), the ruling party has unanimously decided to summon the party leaders, including incumbent lawmakers and cabinet members, who did not campaign for party candidates in the Upazila polls, a meeting source said.
AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.
“People who worked against the (party’s electoral symbol) boat would never be the candidate for boat,” the source quoted Hasina before adding the meeting has “unanimously decided” to serve show cause notice to them as the “primary punishment”.
According to the source, AL’s organizing secretaries placed reports on their respective areas elaborating the role of ministers, lawmakers and party leaders who opposed the party-nominated candidates in the Upazilla polls.
The report made Hasina angry and she expressed resentment against the leaders who disobeyed the party decision, the source added.
At the meeting, AL also decided to hold its next council on time as tenure of the party’s incumbent committee expires in October next.
Party leaders have been asked to report on overall situation at the grass root within seven days.
The ruling party also decided to start a month-long organizing tour to energize the party activists.
Party president expressed dissatisfaction over several leaders, said the source.
“Many leaders go the grass root only to visit and eat, not to work for the party,” the source quoted Hasina.
She repeatedly gave reminder to the party leaders saying “grass root is AL’s powerhouse.”
“So, no split in grass root will be tolerated. Those who will create faction will face severe punishment,” warned Hasina.
Speaking of Mymensingh city polls, the source said, the party nominated Ekramul Haque Titu for mayoral post and left the councilor’s posts open.