Awami League focuses on reform amid activity ban

The Awami League (AL) is actively considering a major organisational reshaping, with a strong focus on bringing in younger leadership across its central and unit committees and associate bodies.
Party insiders said this idea is coming from within the party, as many leaders want more energetic and dynamic leadership. Discussions are ongoing to reorganise committees at all levels, especially the central committee, with leaders who are active, forward-looking, and acceptable to all groups inside the party.
The internal call for reform comes at a time when the field politics of the Awami League is absent as the ban on its political activities is still in effect and the party is looking to consolidate its position and prepare for future political challenges.
The party leaders believe that such a shift could help strengthen organisational unity and enhance the party’s appeal among the young generation.
As part of this anticipated revamp, some senior leaders believe the next general secretary should be under 60-years-old.
According to them, a younger general secretary would be better positioned to connect with the country’s youth population and effectively manage the party’s activities in an increasingly fast-paced political environment.
Party insiders further indicate that the push for younger leadership is not limited to the central committee alone. There are also discussions about restructuring associate and affiliated bodies, ensuring that fresh faces are included alongside experienced leaders.
AL leaders believe that this combination would create a balanced leadership capable of addressing both organisational challenges and political opportunities.

Slow return to normal activity
The Awami League is slowly becoming more active at the grassroots level as the political situation has slightly eased compared to earlier times. Several party leaders told the Daily Sun that restrictions during the interim government were very strict, but now they have reduced. As a result, many grassroots leaders and activists are returning to their local areas and resuming normal movement except political activities.
They said, “Earlier, we had to remain under complete pressure, but now the situation has changed to some extent. Many leaders and activists have returned to their respective areas and are moving around normally. However, there are still no public political programmes.”
Many grassroots leaders and activists often complain that central leaders—especially those staying abroad—are not returning to the  country to lead the party.
On this issue, Awami League Organising Secretary Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel, who is currently in India, told the Daily Sun, “Our grassroots leaders and activists have faced the most repression and persecution. Their contribution to the party is the greatest. Many at the grassroots are urging leaders who are abroad to return and take on leadership roles.  
But the reality is that the government has not yet lifted the restrictions on the party. Rather, the BNP-led parliament has passed a law banning the Awami League permanently. As a result, many central leaders still cannot appear publicly due to the thousands of ongoing cases against them.”
“Leaders staying abroad also face the risk of arrest if they return, so they are maintaining communication from outside and providing organisational guidance. If they are arrested upon return, even this communication would not be possible,” Nadel added.
Another party leader, on condition of anonymity, said that, “At this moment, there is no plan for any major movement. The party’s strategy is to gradually reorganise the grassroots and strengthen communication. Maintaining regular contact with leaders and activists is now the most important priority.”
Although discussions are ongoing about changes in the central leadership or bringing in “young leadership,” no formal decision has been made yet. AL leaders said, “Without a council, changes in the Awami League leadership are not possible. So far, no such directive has come—these are still at the discussion stage.”

AL leaders meeting with party President Hasina
Leaders also mentioned physically meeting with the party president and also regular communication through online meetings. Although there was a short-term pause during Ramadan, communication has now resumed.
Party sources said that several central committee leaders including Joint General Secretary Bahauddin Nasim, Organising Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi and Cultural Affairs Secretary Ashim Kumar Ukil met AL President Sheikh Hasina before the month of Ramadan physically in India’s capital New Delhi, where Sheikh Hasina is staying after the July-August uprising in Bangladesh, and they discussed several issues including leadership changes at the top level of the party.
Sources said that the top-secret meeting was held with the help of the Indian administration, which brought AL leaders from Kolkata to Delhi with full security to meet Sheikh Hasina.
Meanwhile, AL leaders remain optimistic about the overall situation. They believe it will be possible to rebuild the organisation step by step. A central leader of the party said, “To keep the party strong, unity and communication are most essential right now. From the grassroots to the central level, the organisation is being kept prepared.”
He also said, “The Awami League’s next strategy will depend on the country’s overall situation and political dynamics in the coming months.”

Virtually active Awami League waiting for ban withdrawal
Awami League remains fully active on virtual platforms. Even its associate bodies—Juba League, Swechchhasebak League, and Chhatra League—are forming different unit committees virtually to organise the party’s grassroots ahead of resuming political activities after the ban is withdrawn.
The party is also holding virtual meetings in full swing, with AL President Sheikh Hasina, the ousted former prime minister. During these meetings, Hasina and other top party leaders are giving directions and guidelines to grassroots leaders and activists regarding future plans.

Banned Awami League restoring different strategies
Talking to leaders of the AL at different levels, it was learned that the party is waiting for the withdrawal of the ban and is eager to return to field-level politics. Many of them are already preparing for the upcoming local government elections and also various professional organisations’ elections.
Party insiders said that leaders of the Awami League central committee and other key unit committees have started extensive communication with members of civil society, particularly rights activists, teachers and journalists. They are seeking observations on the current political situation and suggestions from civil society regarding possible ways for the Awami League’s return to active politics.
In this regard, while talking to the Daily Sun, AL Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan said that they are maintaining communication with people from all walks of life, including the party’s grassroots.

He added that party President Sheikh Hasina is also keeping in touch with leaders and activists at all levels.
Regarding the planning for the local government elections, Sayem Khan said, “Party members will take part in all upcoming elections independently, and the party will support them from behind the scenes.”
However, many district-level leaders of the party gave comments that contradict Sayem Khan’s comment while speaking to the Daily Sun. According to them, the party should currently focus on efforts to lift the ban that is still in effect.
A secretary-level leader of Netrokona district AL told the Daily Sun that the party’s grassroots leaders and activists could take to the streets at any time if they wished, but the ongoing ban on the party is preventing them from doing so.
The leader said that if party leaders and activists try to take to the streets or carry out political activities while the ban remains in place, police must detain them and file cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act, and send them to jail.
“The police are already doing this across the country,” he added.
Therefore, he believes the party’s immediate priority should be to focus on how to get the ban withdrawn.
He thinks that efforts should be made through legal and diplomatic channels to press the government to quickly lift the ban.

AL associate bodies forming committees amid ban on imposition
Meanwhile, Awami League associate bodies such as Juba League, Swechchhasebak League and Chhatra League are trying to reorganise and strengthen the party by forming different unit committees virtually ahead of resuming political activities.
In this regard, while speaking to the Daily Sun, an Organising Secretary of the Awami Juba League said, “We are forming committees where needed, especially in districts still operating with old committees. Draft committees are submitted to our Chairman and General Secretary for approval, and we are not disclosing those (committees) at this time for security reasons.”
The Juba League Organising Secretary responsible for Dhaka North added, “We have already formed four committees — Netrokona, Sherpur, Kishoreganj and Gazipur City units. Gradually, the remaining committees will also be formed.”