The Central Committee of the Awami League has summoned leaders from Rangpur district, its metropolitan, and three upazilas to a meeting in Dhaka. The meeting will address a range of matters, including the resolution of internal party conflicts, preparation of a list of potential candidates, and election preparations, all centered on the upcoming 12th national elections.
The leaders have been called to convene at the central office of the Awami League on Wednesday.
Notable figures such as the president, secretary, convener and joint convenors of the district unit of the party have been invited.
Awami League General Secretary Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader along with top leaders of the party will attend the meeting.
Former president of the Rangpur Metropolitan unit of Awami League, Shafiar Rahman, confirmed the development and said that various pressing matters will be discussed during the meeting.
Reason behind the meeting
This meeting is crucial given the impending parliamentary elections. The dissolution of the Rangpur District and Metropolitan Committees, and the formation of a convening committee, was prompted by the tarnishing of the party's image due to the confiscation of the security deposit of Awami League's nominated candidate, Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia, in the Rangpur City Corporation elections.
Consequently, the party's position in the six parliamentary constituencies of Rangpur city and district will be thoroughly discussed.
Furthermore, the meeting is expected to address various issues, including infighting among the leaders of the newly formed convening committees of the Metropolitan and District Awami League.
Additionally, among the six constituencies of Rangpur, where Awami League candidates have historically been successful, discussions will encompass the current status of party conflicts, the popularity of members of parliament (MPs), and other pertinent matters.
Summoning leaders of three upazilas
The summoning of leaders from three upazilas, Pirgacha, Kaunia and Mithapukur, is particularly noteworthy.
Of them, Pirgacha and Kaunia upazilas are under Rangpur-4 constituency where Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has been the elected MP for several terms, and a suitable substitute has yet to be found.
However, in Pirgacha Upazila Union Parishad elections, out of 9 unions, Jamaat won in one and BNP candidates won in three.
On the other hand, out of six unions in Kaunia upazila, rebel candidates won in four and Awami League candidates won in two.
Also, a murder case has been filed against several leaders and activists over a clash related to welcoming the minister in Haragach, further underscoring the need to address internal party conflicts.
Grassroot leaders and activists feel that it is necessary to eliminate party conflicts to strengthen the position of the party in general matters.
Rangpur-5 constituency, encompassing Mithapukur upazila, presents its own set of challenges.
Three-time MP HN Ashiqur Rahman faces ongoing conflicts between the Upazila Parishad chairman and former General Secretary of the upazila unit of Awami League, Zakir Hossain.
A clash that erupted between their factions during the prime minister's birthday celebration resulted in numerous injuries, including police personnel. Mithapukur has operated without a committee for eight years, and although a convening committee has recently been formed, conflicts persist.
Sadayet Hossain Bakul, the convener of the district Awami League, expressed optimism about the party's organizational strength and the potential to resolve issues in Mithapukur and Kaunia.
