The Awami League has been bogged down by decades of power politics, repression and corruption. The flight of leader Sheikh Hasina, organizational breakdown and popularity are at zero. Today, the party is in crisis. BNP, Jamaat and the newly formed NCP have come to the field to exploit this vacuum. A ‘race to change the party’ has begun, clean image is being bought and sold and old leaders are being rehabilitated. The question in the minds of the people is – who will give space to this politics of change without ideology? A new beginning, or a repeat of an old farce?
Sheikh Hasina’s government fell on August 5 after a student uprising. It’s not just the central leaders, but also the state unit leaders. The Awami League’s doomsday charioteer left the country at midnight on Wednesday (May 7). Former president of the party Abdul Hamid. After the death of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 75, there was no situation to take the name of Awami League. After the escape of Sheikh Hasina, the current reality is almost the same.
Awami League has not faced such a crisis in the last 50 years. At the moment, many of the party’s visionary leaders and activists are quietly defecting, while some are looking for ways to join other parties. Others are in a daze. In such a situation, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the newly-emerged Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) are throwing one message after another for Awami League leaders. The unwritten competition to ‘change the team’ has begun.
“BNP’s message:” “Country first, not party” “”
On January 9, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, quoting the BNP acting chairman, said non-political persons or anyone from any other party cannot be made to join BNP. The government has killed thousands of BNP leaders and activists. They are victims of BNP’s politics. Even today, on the day of the disappearance, the husband searches for his father, his wife on the highway. Many parents have died and many children have been orphaned. The leaders of the party are forgetting this.
BNP is now projecting itself as a platform of liberal national unity. Five months after the announcement of ‘No’, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi gave a message at a program on Thursday (May 8). He said the country is in a deep crisis. All nationalists must come together. Our doors are open for those who have spoken against injustice in the past despite the politics of Awami League, who are on the path of justice, and now want to stand for the country.
According to political analysts, this is not just a game of strategy, but a game of political rehabilitation. BNP is targeting a large section of middle and grassroots Awami League leaders. In the meantime, many MP-leaders of Clean Image are in contact with the party. There are allegations that many leaders have taken shelter in the shadow of BNP for a large amount of money.
Jamaat-e-Islami with the enemy
Once upon a time there was a political conflict. The Awami League government has hanged dozens of its leaders in war crimes cases. Jamaat-e-Islami is now trying to attract Awami League leaders and activists to their party. Meanwhile, Awami League and BNP leaders have joined Jamaat in Comilla, Jamalpur, Gaibandha, Sherpu and other areas. However, Jamaat claims that 7 leaders from Awami League in Comilla are of their ideology. That is, their party leader was in the Awami League as a caste thief.
On September 3, at a program in the capital’s Tejgaon, Jamaat’s Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that due to the oppression of the government for the last 15 and a half years, we could not talk to you openly. I could not work for the welfare of the people. But it is our duty to respect not only human beings but all of God’s creations. Man is the best of creation. All things have been created for man’s good. So there is no chance of practicing evil against evil.
“We don’t believe in the politics of vengeance and revenge,” Shafiqur said. We have forgiven those who oppressed us politically. We believe in the politics of forgiveness. But if any victim or victim’s family takes refuge in the law, we will also help them. As a team, we will not take any revenge. We believe in an ideal democracy. And the essence of an ideal democracy is the right to free speech and tolerance of religion.
During the conversation, a central Shura member of the organization told this reporter that our invitation is still open to those who want a true Islamic social system but were surrounded by Awami politics. Many leaders are in touch with us.
This call is seen by many as a strategy to re-establish ‘political Islam’. Jamaat wants to create a situation where confused and disoriented Awami leaders are forced to come to their camp.
NCP’s strategy
The newly formed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has taken a completely different strategy. “While the BNP and Jamaat are extending a” “sympathetic invitation,” “the NCP is openly demanding a ban on Awami League politics.” Behind the scenes, however, the message is different. The NCP’s message is essentially an attempt at political restructuring through fear-mongering. They are also believed to have bank accounts.
Outwardly, the NCP does not have a position, but Asif Mahmud Bhuiyan Sajib, youth and sports adviser, is in the government. “Those who did Awami League, but are not involved in any kind of wrongdoing and genocide or crime, can apologize and return to the mainstream,” he said. ‘ However, the statement was widely criticised.
Explaining the statement, Asif Mahmud said that he basically meant to take responsibility for the fascist period through the Truth Commission. “” “The question of fascists or Awami League’s participation in Bangladesh’s election is now irrelevant.” The government will work on how to resolve the issue of Awami League through the truth commission or such a system. ‘
Protests were also held against the adviser in his home district of Comilla. There have also been allegations of rehabilitation of Awami Leaguers. It is also expected that Asif Mahmud will march with Nahid Islam in due course.
Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nahid Islam has demanded a complete ban on Awami League. He is the leader of the July Movement. He is now the leader of the NCP.
Resignation is relief!
Awami League offices are closed. The party has been active on social media. Influential leaders are in hiding or under silent surveillance. Many are openly saying that there will be nothing more from this team. Former state minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder has been released from jail. “I will not join Awami League for the rest of my life.
Such a runaway situation has been seen in the field of politics after August 15, 1975. However, the exception this time is the Awami League, which is slowly fading away. The old adversaries are taking advantage.
The question in the eyes of the people: ideal or self-interest?
Political defections are not new in Bangladesh, but this time it is more naked and obvious. “The common people are asking,” “Those who have looted for so long, in which face will they talk about ‘democracy’, ‘religion’ or ‘national unity’?” “” Various comments are being posted on social media. Many people say that the character does not change when the party changes. Earlier it was Awami League, now it is BNP-Jamaat. Banks, insurance and extortion are taking place, but only the hands have changed. They will come to power and save the country – how long will this drama continue?
The Awami League is now surrounded by the trinity of lack of party discipline, destruction on moral grounds and hatred of the people. Once an uncontested party in power, today it is in the grip of its own creation. Lawmakers were in handcuffs. People are running. And in this situation, the opposition is walking on the path of ‘replacement’, not just ‘revenge’. A lot of old folks are going that route. The league. “” “Only time will tell whether the new political structure will be born out of the three-pronged crisis of lack of ideology in Bangladesh’s politics, characterless defections and people’s rejection, or the old vultures will return with a new face.” “”