Mahbubul Alam Hanif has been serving as joint general secretary of the Awami League since 2009. Previously, he served as special assistant to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from 2009 to 2013. Then he received the party nomination and was elected from the Kushtia-3 constituency for two consecutive terms. Recently, in an interview with Dhaka Tribune Chief Reporter Ali Asif Shawon, the veteran leader provided some insights into the plans of the ruling party ahead of the next parliamentary election.
Q: What are your thoughts on a free, fair, and participatory national election as a ruling party leader?
A: Our priority is a free, fair election rather than participatory. Registered political parties that have the capacity to participate in the polls will hopefully participate in it. It is the democratic right of a political party to choose whether it will participate in the polls or not. The election process doesn't work thinking of any particular political party. As the ruling party, we firmly want a free, fair, and participatory national election.
Q: Tell us something about your election preparation. Already we have seen many candidates in every constituency from the Awami League.
A: Almost after four months, in late December or early January, the national election will be held according to the constitution. I think every political party is making election preparations, some openly, and some secretly.
The Awami League usually chooses the party candidates through its nomination board, and the board meeting is expected to be scheduled after the declaration of the election schedule by the Election Commission. Our board always chooses the best candidates, those who are popular among the general voters and party workers in their constituencies.
Q: How many changes may come about in the party nomination this time? There are several media reports and speculations on the issue..
A: I think some journalists are writing hypothetically about the party nominations. Actually, we are collecting several survey reports, and some are ongoing. Our nomination board will decide on party candidates by analyzing all the reports. Several current MPs might be dropped, and newcomers may come in at the final moment. However, the board will decide it, not the journalists.
Q: What are your thoughts on party nominations for the Awami League's electoral alliance as there are several parties with you?
A: It is quite normal to give some party tickets to alliance partners. However, it is not confirmed that anyone will get a party nomination according to their demand. Our focus is to ensure party nominations for candidates who have the best chance of winning, whether they are from the Awami League or parties in the alliance.
Q: We have heard that some Islamic parties want to join your electoral alliance. Is there any update on it?
A: Right now, there is no such decision in our party. Probably it will be decided after the election schedule announcement.
Q: Several top leaders of the opposition BNP are saying that the declaration of the election schedule does not mean the election will happen in a proper manner. They want to resist the election under a partisan government. Then what's your plan?
A: We are not worried about what the BNP will or will not do. There is no such political party in the country that can foil the election. If a political party makes such a wrong decision, it will have to pay a heavy price. The election will be held on time and in line with the constitution. The election will not be stopped for any political party.
Q: What are the major challenges of the Awami League in this election?
A: There are no such challenges apart from picking some good candidates, as we have plenty of aspirants in every constituency now. As the ruling party, our main challenge is now to convince our party members across the country to work for our party candidates unitedly to secure victory
