A large number of leaders of the Dhaka city unit of the ruling Awami League have expressed discontent over the party’s decision to split the city unit into two, although the mid-level leaders – who are interested in securing key posts in the bifurcated units – have argued for the setting up of fresh committees as soon as possible.
Since the last council of the Awami League’s city unit on December 27, 2012, no committee for city unit had been formed, while the party’s central leadership remained undecided on whether to divide the city unit.
However, the Awami League Central Working Committee meeting on February 12 approved the splitting of the city unit.
The city unit leaders who are against the split said the division might cause the party to lose its control in the capital.
Sources inside the city unit said around one-third of the committee members, as well as some leaders of the thana and ward units, were against the bifurcation.
Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, general secretary of the city unit, also wanted a united unit for Dhaka city, said a number of mid-level leader, seeking anonymity.
A joint secretary of the city unit, who is also a contender for the new committee, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Maya Bhai considers that he will be the president of Dhaka City Awami League whether it is divided or not, and he wants to be the president of the whole city.”
Meanwhile, refusing to comment on the issue, Maya, who is also the disaster management minister, said: “Officially the decision has not come out, so now I am not interested in expressing my opinion. When the party will disclose it, I will comment about the issue.”
He said the council had given “power of attorney” to party President Sheikh Hasina to make any decision in favour of the city unit.
On the other hand, several city unit leaders said they wanted the unit to be split for the strengthening of the committee and easing of its mobilisation, as it was tough to maintain the megacity with singular leadership.
Many people would get the chance to criticise the government if they failed to divide the party unit like the bifurcation of the Dhaka City Corporation, they added.
Blaming the city unit leaders who are against the split for delaying the formation of the new committee, the pro-split leaders said consent among some key leaders would have resulted in the formation of a fresh committee immediately after the last council in December 2012.
Awalad Hossain, joint secretary of the city unit, said the leaders wanted a new committee as early as possible, irrespective of whether it was split or not, to tackle future movements by BNP-Jamaat.
“We respect our [party] President Sheikh Hasina’s decision. We will welcome any kind of decision by her, whether it is for one or four portions,” said Awlad.
Echoing Awalad, the city unit’s Organizing Secretary Shahe Alam Murad also said the leaders would welcome any decision made by the party chief.
Sources said many aspirants are trying to boost their chances of securing a place in the new citu committee by communicating with party central leaders including Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Syed Ashraful Islam and Obaidul Quader
Sources also said the city unit’s acting President MA Aziz and General Secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya were hoping to become president of the new committee. Furthermore, according to the sources, incumbent vice-presidents Kamal Ahmed Majumdar and AKM Rahmat Ullah, joint secretaries Advocate Quamrul Islam and Awlad Hossain, Organising secretaries Shahe Alam Murad and Syed Khokon, and Executive Committee member Aslamul Haque Aslam were trying to obtain vital posts on the next committee.
The new committee may be formed after the end of the ongoing council of ward, union and thana units of the city, the sources added.