A conflict broke out between the leaders of the Dhaka city unit of the Awami League yesterday in a meeting held over fixing dates for councils of thana and ward units.
Witnesses said the leaders were engaged in a squabble as city unit Secretary (labour) Mokbul Hossain proposed a date for holding the council of Pallabi thana at the meeting held at the party’s Bangabandhu Avenue office.
Many leaders, including Dhaka 16 MP Illias Uddin Mollah, shouted out that Mokbul had no authority to fix the date as Pallabi thana was situated under the Dhaka 16 constituency.
To tame the situation, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya said: “No grouping will be allowed inside the Dhaka city unit...You have to consider your qualifications before emerging as leaders.”
City unit Joint Secretary and Food Minister Quamrul Islam said new committees of various units would have to be formed by February 28.
Many leaders, including Ramna unit President Abul Bashar and Demra unit Secretary Harun-Or Rashid, objected to Joint Secretary Haji Selim’s presence at the meeting.
Ignoring the party’s decision, Selim had contested as an independent candidate in the 10th parliament and defeated the party’s candidate Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, they said.
In reply, Selim said he attended the meeting because not only was he an independent MP but also the joint secretary of the City Awami League.
Maya requested the leaders to calm down, saying the matter would be presented to party chief Sheikh Hasina and her instructions would be followed.
However, the meeting fixed dates for holding council to some thana units
The council of Pallabi will be held on February 11, Kafrul on February 15, Ramna on February 17, Shahjahanpur on February 20, Demra on February 23, Kotwali on February 24, Mohammadpur on February 25 and Mirpur on February 28.
