Grassroots-level leaders of the ruling Awami League at a meeting with the party chief on Sunday lambasted lawmakers for creating closer circles comprising their relatives and ignoring the party’s dedicated leaders.
They also alleged that the MPs had not maintained connection with the constituencies regularly, for which, they would have to face “tough consequences” in the upcoming polls.
The meeting was held as part of a series of discussions held at Ganabhaban with party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. On Sunday she met with the leaders of different levels of Jessore, Kishoreganj, Kurigram, Tangail, Lakshmipur and Naogaon districts.
Responding to the allegations, the party chief asked them to remain united targeting the national elections and asked them to complete the party councils immediately.
“Do not give importance to individuals. You all should prioritise the party first and its election symbol, boat,” one of the participants quoted Hasina as saying.
The prime minister in her opening speech also urged all political parties to consider opinions of the grassroots-level while nominating candidates “for the sake of democracy.” She said the Awami League would do so.
In beginning of the meeting, the grassroots leaders were given 10 questions to answer. The questions were on three probable candidates of every constituency, their educational qualifications, position in the party, relationship with party men, acceptability, family influence, financial condition, and whether they ever contested in any polls and, if yes, the results. Each question carried 10 marks.
Hasina assured them that the party would evaluate their opinion while giving nomination. She, however, said the party would conduct
further survey in this regard and asked them to work for the candidates selected by the party’s parliamentary board.
The leaders said the MPs usually engage their relatives and close aides in different activities. This trend had been creating division in the party as many devoted leaders and activists have been deceived and started non-cooperating in the party activities.
Meeting sources said Jessore district unit General Secretary Shahin Chaklader suggested that the party chief select MP candidates through grassroots’ votes using secret ballot, which the party had done before the 2008 parliamentary elections.
Later, many leaders echoed Shahin’s view.
President of the same unit Ali Reza Raju criticised a local ruling party lawmaker and the local administration. He said party’s image had been tarnished because of only a handful of party leaders and demanded that the high command take action against them.
Referring to Gazipur City Corporation polls, Raju said some 33% voters had not cast their votes and those voters were pro-Awami League. He requested the party leadership to evaluate why they had not voted for the party.
Leaders of Lakshmipur requested the party chief to send a team of central leaders to the district to resolve the persistent division among leaders over holding a council.