Awami League in spotlight amid leadership debate

Former Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s remarks about who could oversee the party in her absence have triggered fresh debate within the party, with reports suggesting growing differences over the issue.

According to Indian news outlet The Wall, Sheikh Hasina indicated in an interview that Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, the senior-most member of the party’s Presidium, could assume responsibility in her absence.

The remarks have since fuelled speculation about divisions within the Awami League, whose activities remain banned in Bangladesh under an executive order.

The party’s joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, who is currently in Kolkata, rejected reports of internal discord but declined to comment on the issue.

Former Awami League lawmaker Mohammad Habib-e-Millat, who has recently been active on behalf of the party from the UK, said there had been no discussion within the party about appointing anyone else to lead it.

“Sheikh Hasina is the party president. She has said she will return to the country. I am not aware of any discussion within the party about giving leadership to anyone else or anything similar,” he said.

Awami League spokesperson Mohammad Ali Arafat also rejected reports of a leadership crisis, saying the party would follow its constitution.

“There is no question of a crisis or conflict over the party leadership because nothing happens in the Awami League outside its constitution,” he said.

“Sheikh Hasina is and will remain the president. Any change or new decision can only be made at a party council. Everything being circulated now is simply a rumour.”

However, several Awami League leaders in Kolkata said discontent had emerged after Sheikh Selim recently became involved in party activities.

According to party sources, Awami League leaders based in Kolkata had initially maintained limited contact after Sheikh Hasina and other senior leaders left Bangladesh following the fall of the government. Later, a section of the party became active in Kolkata at Sheikh Hasina’s initiative.

Regular meetings were held at the Tangra residence of Presidium member Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya, with leaders including Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Nasim attending. Sheikh Hasina also reportedly joined some meetings virtually.

Sheikh Selim, despite being the senior-most Presidium member and residing in Kolkata’s New Town area, had not previously been involved in those activities. Party sources said he has recently chaired some meetings, with some gatherings subsequently held at his residence.

One Awami League leader in Kolkata said this had created a trust deficit among some members.

Arafat, however, said Sheikh Selim had merely chaired some meetings in his capacity as the senior-most Presidium member when Sheikh Hasina was absent.

Read More

‘No appeal window left for death-row convict Hasina’

Meanwhile, the party’s Office Secretary, Barrister Biplab Barua, said in a verified Facebook post that a fake press release using the Awami League letterhead and his forged signature was being circulated on social media. The fabricated statement claimed that Sheikh Selim had been made acting party president ahead of Sheikh Hasina’s reported return in December.

Political analyst and Dhaka University professor Dr Sabbir Ahmed said leadership disputes were not new in the Awami League.

He cited the party’s split before the 1979 parliamentary election into Awami League (Mizan) and Awami League (Malek), as well as later disputes during the military-backed caretaker government in 2007.

“Unless the leadership selection process is democratic and the party can identify an acceptable leader, there is always a possibility of a leadership crisis,” he said.

He added that if Sheikh Selim’s possible role was indeed being considered, it could lead to further conflict or factionalism within the party.

Source: BBC Bangla