As Bangladesh goes to the polls, the Awami League continues to remain underground while its workers carry out internal discussions dissecting the reasons behind the party’s downfall.
The party’s top leadership, including deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, remain in exile in various countries such as India and Belgium, its grassroots leaders mince no words while examining the reasons that led to the overthrow of the party in the 2024 uprising.
Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and Hasan Mahmud, who were Ministers in the Sheikh Hasina Government, addressed press conferences in Delhi in January, but Awami League workers who spoke to The Hindu here said that many of the Ministers and individuals who formed the coterie around Ms. Hasina lacked popularity and acceptance within the party.
Awami League supporters adrift as Bangladesh heads for polls without ruling party
Mohammed Nahid Akhtar Nahan, a mid-level leader of the Awami League in Rajshahi division, said that the party became internally weak with the passing away of Syed Ashraful Islam, who served as general secretary of the Awami League. Mr. Islam was the son of Syed Nazrul Islam, one of the four major leaders who were killed during the infamous ‘jail killing day’ on November 3, 1975. Mr. Nahan said that Mr. Islam had an impeccable reputation within the party and commitment to its founding principles.
