Post-deprived BCL faction calls off protests
The faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League who were “deprived” of posts in the central committee halted their protests yesterday, following assurance from Awami League’s senior leaders.
Representatives of both BCL factions had a long meeting on Sunday night and the decision to halt protests came afterwards.
Together, they went to the political office of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina in Dhanmondi around 9:30pm on Sunday and met with senior party leaders.
From what could be known, talks were held with Joint General Secretaries Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, and Organising Secretaries Bahauddin Nasim and Mozammel Haque. The meeting took a couple of hours, sources said.
The “deprived” faction called off their sit-in programme as AL leaders gave them assurance of a meeting with the prime minister, fair trial for the attacks at Modhur Canteen and Teacher-Student Centre, dropping “controversial” leaders from the central committee upon deeper investigation and replacing them with “dedicated” leaders who were deprived from posts.
After the meeting, BCL president, general secretary and the delegation of deprived faction went to Raju Memorial Sculpture around 1:30am.
Addressing the post-deprived leaders, Chhatra League President Shovon said, “We will have to work for the party and country beyond greed… there must be a practice of politics. I urge you all to stop the mudslinging and let us not spoil the reputation of Chhatra League.”
Admitting that they (president and general secretary) made some mistakes, he said, “The 17 controversial posts are about to be vacated. There is a chance of replacement in those posts. If you are a BCL activist then you should learn to sacrifice.”
General Secretary Golam Rabbani said, “First of all, apa [Sheikh Hasina] wants to see all of us under one umbrella and she said she would not talk to any divided faction.”
“She [PM] said before sitting for a discussion, we have to show that Chhatra League is a united family, then she will listen to us all,” he added.
Saif Babu, spokesperson of the “deprived” faction and former publicity affairs secretary of BCL, said the assurance of the senior leaders prompted them to call off the protest around 1:30am.
BCL on May 13 announced its full-fledged 301-member central committee, touching off controversy and demonstrations by some of those who could not make it to the new committee.
BCL EXPELS 1, SUSPENDS 4
BCL last night expelled one and suspended four of its activists temporarily over the incident at Madhur Canteen.
Salman Sadik, activist of BCL’s Zia Hall unit, was expelled while Gazi Mursalin Anu, general secretary of science faculty unit; Sazzadul Kabir, activist of Zia Hall unit; Zarin Diya, former member of central committee, were suspended temporarily.
Also, BM Lipi, president of Ruqayyah Hall unit, and Hasibur Rhaman Shanto, programme and planning affairs secretary of Zia Hall, were asked to submit their replies to why organisational steps would not be taken against them.
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