Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee

Smart Bangladesh: Budget theme mirrors AL’s 2041 vision

About six months ahead of the next general election, the government yesterday proposed the last national budget of its five-year term mainly keeping the ruling Awami League’s vision of a “Smart Bangladesh” by 2041 and the election in mind.

2d ago

AL’s Gazipur Debacle: Sadar, Gachha voters made the difference

Awami League mayor candidate Azmat Ullah Khan got 15,672 votes less than his rival in two thanas under Gazipur-2 constituency, and it eventually led to his defeat by 16,197 votes.

4d ago

Time for AL to do some soul-searching

Infighting within the party has grown over the years, leading to the Awami League becoming its own rival at the grassroots level.

5d ago

Shaken, AL plans to rejig Gazipur units

The ruling Awami League will reorganise its Gazipur district and city units after its mayor nominee lost to an independent on Thursday.

5d ago

A strong message for ruling party

Azmat Ullah Khan’s defeat to a 62-year-old woman with no political background has dealt the Awami League a major blow, sending a message to the ruling party about rifts in its grassroots.

1w ago

AL only has election on its mind

With the national election drawing closer, the ruling Awami League’s focus is on reorganising the party

2w ago

World Hypertension Day: Insights into the ‘silent killer’

On the occasion of World Hypertension Day 2023, Abhishek Bhadra, a public health expert and lecturer at Popular Medical College, Dhaka, spoke to The Daily Star about the significance of the day and the dangers of hypertension

2w ago

Barishal Al Politics: Conflict intensifies as city polls near

The rift between Awami League’s mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah and his nephew Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah, the incumbent mayor of Barishal, has turned into a violent face-off ahead of the city polls slated for June 12.

2w ago

AL mulls expelling Zahangir for life

Zahangir Alam, the suspended mayor of Gazipur City Corporation, is likely to be expelled for life from the Awami League.

2w ago

Gazipur city polls: AL out to talk Zahangir out of race

The ruling Awami League is trying to convince Zahangir Alam, suspended mayor of Gazipur, to withdraw from the city corporation election.

AL Politics: Barishal sees overnight shift

The Awami League’s decision to choose Abul Khair Abdullah over his nephew and incumbent mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah as the Barishal mayoral candidate has changed political equations in the city.

Pick for Barishal Mayor: A resolute Hasina prevails

Barishal dominated the talks when the ruling Awami League’s nomination board sat on Saturday to pick mayoral candidates for five cities.

Elections in 5 cities: AL to go for fresh picks in Gazipur, Sylhet

The mayors of Khulna and Rajshahi cities are likely to get Awami League nominations to run for mayor in the coming elections.

The word ‘BANGLADESH’: A journey from literature to politics

Bangladesh today proudly steps into its 53rd year of independence.

BNP might not take part in polls

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the BNP might not participate in the next general election.

A mighty man’s humble birthday

“I have never observed my birthday -- at most my wife would present me a little gift on this day. I would try and stay at home on these days.

Expanding 14-Party Alliance: AL’s left partners say ‘no’ to Islamist parties

Left-leaning parties in the ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance yesterday took a firm stance against any possible inclusion of Islamist political parties in the combine.

Deaths won’t stop as justice a mirage

Over the past decade, there has not been a single conviction in any major fire, and in most cases, the affected establishments went back to business as usual the minute media attention shifted.

14-party fragile as AL ‘shifts rightwards’

With the ruling Awami League apparently reaching out to some right-wing political parties to forge a bigger electoral alliance, a gap with its left allies keeps widening since the national polls in 2018.

Talks needed, open minds too

In recent days, several media reports have focused on the possibility of talks between the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP over holding an inclusive national election.

Both AL, BNP wooing Islami Andolon

Both the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP are out to get one religion-based party as an electoral ally, a gain which may help boost the vote bank ahead of the next general polls.

Under strain, govt may go for inclusive polls

Feeling the pressure from the West for fair and participatory polls and the economic stress at home, the government may go all out to get the BNP and like-minded parties to participate in the next national election.

Graft is his middle name

Internal GCC enquiry upon directive of LGRD ministry exposes countless misdeeds of suspended mayor Zahangir Alam

Tk 2.60cr into thin air

A bank account was opened in the name of ex-mayor Zahangir Alam, and was later used for the transaction of Gazipur City Corporation’s money.

AL abuzz with names for country’s next president

The most discussed question within the ruling Awami League at the moment is -- who will be the 22nd president of Bangladesh?

AL to stay alert on the streets

The ruling Awami League and law enforcers will not create any obstacles but will remain alert during today’s sit-in protest in the capital and other divisional headquarters by the BNP and 32 like-minded political parties, AL leaders said.

AL sketches out a ‘Smart Bangladesh’

The Awami League envisions a “Smart Bangladesh” by 2041, seeking to build a country that would be cost-effective, sustainable, innovative and knowledge-based.

Leaving 2 seats for alliance members: AL’s efforts to revive a fading friendship

Awami League's decision to not compete for two of the recently vacated seats, rather letting its allies vie for them, is aimed at strengthening its relations with partners ahead of the 12th national election, slated for January 2024.

AL Executive Committee: Old faces reign as members too

The ruling Awami League kept faith in old faces while choosing members for its central executive committee, the party’s apex body, just like it did when electing office-bearers.

Politics in 2022: AL ends it on a high note despite poor start

Political activities of the ruling Awami League in 2022 began slowly, after a quiet pandemic, and gathered significant momentum towards the end of the year.

Last working day for four secretaries today

Today is the last day of office for four secretaries, the top officials of the bureaucracy, as they are going on Post Retirement Leave (PRL) on the last day of this year.

By-polls to 6 seats: AL likely to give JP ‘walkover’

With the BNP out of the equation, the competition was supposed to be between the ruling Awami League and main opposition Jatiya Party.

AL rank and file confused who’s top joint GS

Among the ruling Awami League rank and file, confusion reigned about who actually tops the list of joint general secretaries.

Hasina banks on the same troops

Sheikh Hasina, who has been leading the grand old Awami League for 42 years now, will be at the party helm for the next three years as she was reelected the president for the 10th consecutive time.

Quader’s third term or last-minute drama?

The ruling Awami League is holding its 22nd triennial council today, which is likely to be a formality to keep the status quo in the party’s top leadership.

Al Nat’l Council: Number two is the number one question

The ruling Awami League is all set to hold its 22nd triennial national council on December 24 with only one thing certain: Sheikh Hasina, who has been leading the party since 1981 after she returned home from a long exile, will be reelected as the AL president for the 10th time.

Power, gas to get costlier

The prices of electricity, gas and diesel are set to increase one by one as the government pulls back the subsidies in keeping with the austerity measures.

AL has Tk 70.43 crore in bank

The ruling Awami League has Tk 70.43 crore in the bank and the party believes the amount will rise before the next national polls, thanks to the sale of nomination forms to the aspirants.

Prepare to face any crisis

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked top bureaucrats to get ready to face any crisis in the coming days.

AL unfazed by BNP’s 10-point demand

The Awami League seems unruffled by the BNP’s 10-point demand announced at Saturday’s rally.

AL under fire from allies

The ruling Awami League yesterday drew heavy flak from its left-leaning allies for ignoring them in taking many crucial political decisions and also for already starting “electioneering” for the next national polls.

Probe S Alam Group assets

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for an investigation into the affairs of S Alam Group, which has been in the public discourse in recent times for its alleged excessive borrowing from the banking system in violation of rules.

Election-year bureaucracy: Govt in a bind over new picks

A massive reshuffle in the bureaucracy is awaiting the government’s nod in a year considered crucial in the lead-up to the next election.

December 10 rally: Govt, BNP at odds over venue

The government and the BNP appear to be on a collision course over the venue of the latter’s much-talked about December 10 Dhaka rally as neither would budge on its stance.

Spot LNG purchase by pvt sector gets nod

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday instructed the import of liquified natural gas from the spot market by the private sector as the government looks to alleviate the industrial energy crisis that is threatening to derail Bangladesh’s growth momentum.