Awami League is the only party that fought for the country’s independence in 1971, said its General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam.
“Many people could not take part in the 1971 Liberation War although they were young at the time. But now many of them work for Awami League, which is a pro-liberation force, and they are lucky,” he said addressing the tri-annual convention of Joypurhat district Awami League at Joypurhat Stadium yesterday.
“Those who are with Awami League took the party to the masses because they feel very strongly about it. The list of Awami League’s achievements is much longer than reasons for getting frustrated at it, and that is why people still love the party,” said Ashraf.
In his address, Awami League presidium member Mohammed Nasim said the convention would not have been held if the January 5 election was not arranged.
“We also would have seen martial law in the country in that case. Awami League invited BNP leaders to sit for talks in order to hold an inclusive election but they did not respond. In the name of resisting elections, they torched houses, killed police and attacked temples,” he said.
Nasim, also the health minister, said the tenth parliamentary election established democracy in the country.
“Our leader Sheikh Hasina risked her life to save the democracy. No election will be held in the country even a day before 2019,” he said.
The convention was also addressed by the party’s Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, International Affairs Secretary of the central committee Lt Col (retd) Md Faruk Khan and Rajshahi City Corporation former mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton.
The first session of the convention was presided over by Joypurhat Sadar constituency lawmaker Shamsul Alam Dudu.
In the second session held at the district council auditorium, Dudu and district council administrator SM Solaiman Ali were re-elected as district Awami League president and general secretary respectively.
A slew of Awami League activists from the upazilas under the district attended the convention.
