The Awami League won the 11th parliamentary election by a landslide, but this victory comes with high expectations from voters across the country.
Speaking with the Dhaka Tribune, Awami League Joint General Secretary Abdur Rahman said: “Fulfilling people’s trust and high expectations will be a challenge for the party in the days that lie ahead.”
“Awami League and its affiliated organizations will not get involved with any activities that could make people unhappy, harm the party’s ideology or tarnish its image. Party leaders and activists will not pretend that they will be in power indefinitely.”
He further added that upholding the people’s faith in the Awami League is the party’s top priority, along with upholding its ideology.
“Sheikh Hasina is a name that brings hope and trust. She is a hardworking politician who always thinks for the betterment of the people. People believed in Sheikh Hasina, and they know that only she can uphold their rights, and that is why people voted for the boat symbol,” Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune.
Rahman, who was in special duty during recently held 11th parliamentary election, stated that it is beyond doubt that citizens of Bangladesh have high expectations from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the Awami League president, which led to their landslide victory in the polls.
Rahman, a former general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), said: “No political party or group can become sustainable without firmly upholding its ideology. Awami League leaders and activists have shown the highest level of sacrifice, and they must continue to do so.”
“People elected Awami League for the fourth time because the party sticks to its ideology firmly,” he said.
Urging party men and women to remain loyal to Sheikh Hasina and Awami league’s ideology, Rahman said Awami League leaders and activists should not become overconfident, and should not engage in activities that could tarnish the party’s image.
Adding that central party command would make its leaders and activists adhere to the Awami League’s political ideology, Rahman said: “If we can continue to run the party based on the ideology of Bangabandhu, then there will be no reason for concern.”
“Party men and women must also follow Sheikh Hasina’s ideology, learning how to become a leader without any personal interest and benefits,” he added.
Pointing out that internal conflict among party leaders are a result of prioritizing personal interests over party ideology, Rahman warned party men and women not to engage in illicit activities thinking they will be in power indefinitely.
“Not adhering to party ideology will only result in the people losing their faith in Awami League.”
Core focus: ‘Sonar Bangla’
The ruling joint secretary general said: “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had dreamed of building a developed country where people can smile, but his dreams faded into obscurity due to the heinous killing of him and almost his entire family.”
“Now, his daughter Sheikh Hasina has expressed her vow to fulfil Bangabandhu’s dream to build ‘Sonar Bangla’ (Golden Bengal). To fulfil Bangabandhu’s dream, she has taken several initiatives, as well as promised several development projects, in the Awami League election manifesto,” he said.
Rahman added that the Awami League has also developed several roadmaps to realize Sheikh Hasina’s goals of building a country free of poverty, terrorism and militancy.
“Awami League has to complete some preconditions for turning the villages into towns. As part of this goal, the party has promised to supply electricity to every home, develop infrastructure, strengthen the social safety net and implement a number of megaprojects,” he added.
Zero tolerance on corruption
Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune that the Awami League will show zero tolerance on corruption to build a corruption-free country.
He added that any politician from BNP or left political parties can join Awami League, but the party would never accept members belonging to anti-liberation forces.
“Awami League should be more careful about Jamaat activists,” Rahman said.
He advised party men to follow Sheikh Hasina’s life, saying that Sheikh Hasina has been carrying the party on her own since her homecoming in 1981. Hence Awami League activists should be more loyal to the party ideology and to Sheikh Hasina, and rejecting the pursuit of their personal vested interests.
