Ruling Awami League (AL) has decided to expel those who are going to contest as rebel candidates for councillor posts in the upcoming Dhaka city polls.
Amir Hossain Amu, AL's chief election coordinator for the southern part of the city, during a meeting at the party's central office in the capital on Wednesday (Jan 15), urged rebel councillor candidates to withdraw their nominations for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) elections.
He said, "If they do not withdraw their nominations, they will be expelled from the party."
During the meeting, rebel AL councillor candidates in 75 wards, and female candidates for reserved councillor posts in 25 DSCC wards were present.
Local senior leaders of the party also expressed dissatisfaction in the meeting, over the issue of a large number of rebel candidates for the city elections.
They said these rebel AL candidates were violating party discipline.
If not stopped, the party will suffer in the Dhaka city polls, they added.
Among others, AL Presidium Member and Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzak, Joint General Secretary A F M Bahauddin Nasim, Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan, and Dhaka South City Awami League President Abu Ahmed Mohammad Mannafi also attended the meeting.
Dhaka South City Awami League General Secretary Humayun Kabir conducted the meeting.