Leaders and activists of the Jessore district unit Awami League having busy time because after an unusual long gap of 12 years, the much-awaited council of the district unit Awami League is going to be held the day after tomorrow.
Centring the council the town has turned into a festive look as colourful banners and festoons of the candidates have been set up at different points of the town. Moreover, hundreds of arches have been erected at several key points of the district town.
Over the council district-level leaders have been contacting with party high-ups since the announcement of the council on January 25 to get better position in the district Awami League.
Last council of the Jessore district Awami League was held 2004 when Ali Reza Razu and Shahin Chaklader has been elected as president and general secretary respectively.
Party sources said leaders and activists wanted Kazi Nabil Ahmed, lawmaker of Jessore 3 constitute, as a candidate for a key post as he had a gentleman image among party leaders and activists.
“But Kazi Nabil Ahmed did not say anything whether he is interest to take part in the council election or not, said Mohit Kumar Nath, president of upazila unit Awami League.
He also said the incumbent general Shahin Chakladr was also maintaining lobbying with party’s high-up for upholding his current position in the district Awami League. He also expressed hope that the council would be held smoothly.
Mir Johurul Islam, office secretary of district unit Awami League, said every activist and leader is trying hard to conduct the council in a festive manner.
He said now the Jessore Awami Legue is going towards right direction under the leadership of qualified leaders.
Another sources of the party told the Dhaka Tribune that a long-standing dispute had been prevailing inside the party since long over establishing supremacy. Over the internal dispute, initiatives to hold district Awami League council have been thwarted several times.
On 2009, 13 March, a gun battle took place between two factions of the district the Bangladesh Chhatra League. As a sequel to the clash, Ripon Hossain Dada, Sadar upazila unit BCL leader, was killed and later on a good number of leaders of the party were come under attacks.
The two factions also held press conference and blamed each other for the unstable situation in the town. The then lawmaker Khaledur Rahman Titu supported one faction while current general secretary Shahin Chaklader supported another faction.
Currently, two factions one is led by Ali Reza Razu, president, and another led by Shahin Chaklader, general secretary, are the main contests of council election.
Ali Reza Razu, Khan Tipu Sultan, Kamruzzaman Kamu, Pijush Kanti Bhattacharya and Shahidul Islam Milon will vie for president post.
Besides, Mustafa Farid, president of district unit Jubo League, and Muhit Kumar Nath, president of upazila unit Awami League, and Shahin Chaklader, current general secretary, will vie for general secretary post.
A total of 155 councillors would select their leadership for the next three years. The event is going to be held at central Eidgah.
General Secretary of Awami League and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Sayed Asraful Islam is expected to attend the council as chief guest.