Omar Faruk ousted from Jubo League

Jubo League Chairman Omar Faruk Chowdhury has been relieved of his post amid allegations of corruption.

The decision came at a meeting between top Jubo League leaders and AL President Sheikh Hasina at the Gono Bhaban last night.

The meeting also decided that the age limit for Jubo League membership would be 55 years.

Omar Faruk became Jubo League chairman in 2012 at the age of 64. He has been the oldest chairman in the organisation’s 47-year history.

He became the talk of the town after a section of Jubo League leaders started bringing different allegations against him amid a crackdown on illegal gambling and casinos by law enforcers last month.

The allegations against Faruk include running the organisation at whim, patronising the corrupt, and awarding key posts of the organisation in exchange for money.

The youth front of the ruling AL is just a month away from its 7th National Congress scheduled for November 23.

It was decided at last night’s meeting that Jubo League presidium member Chayan Islam would be the convener of its congress preparatory committee. Chayan is 57 and a former AL lawmaker from Sirajganj-6, according to the website of Bangladesh Parliament.

Jubo League General Secretary Harun-Or-Rashid was made the member secretary of the committee.

The organisation’s current charter does not mention any age limit and says that any person eligible to work can be a member.

Earlier on September 14, Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon and Golam Rabbani were removed from the posts of Chhatra League president and general secretary amid allegations of extortion.

Although Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held last night’s meeting with Jubo League leaders, Faruk and presidium member Nurunabi Chowdhury Shawon were asked not to join.

AL leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and Obaidul Quader were present at the meeting.

Sources present at last night’s meeting said Hasina delivered an introductory speech at the closed-door meeting and invited Jubo League leaders to share their opinions about their organisation.

Jubo League Joint Secretary Mohiuddin Ahmed Mohi said that he demanded punishment to those who had tarnished Jubo League’s image.

Jubo League leader Amir Hossain Gazi said that many of his fellow leaders were supposed to visit grassroot activists and hold councils, but committees were announced from the centre without their knowledge, the sources added.

Hearing the allegations, the PM asked why she had not been informed about these earlier. “If I knew, I could have taken action. You are saying these after I have started taking action,” a Jubo League leader quoted her as saying.

She also said some people were working for the party while others were busy plundering public money.

UNB reports: Hasina in her speech said, “No mercy will be shown to criminals… Injustice will not be tolerated.”

She said the government wanted everyone to lead a prosperous life.

“I think it is necessary to take punitive actions against injustice,” the PM said.

Jubo League General Secretary Harun said the organisation’s chairman has stopped coming to the party office while the office secretary was on the run.

Presidium member Shaheed Serniabat said different local committees of Jubo League were announced for money.

He mentioned the name of arrested top government listed contractor GK Shamim and said Omar Faruk had given him a Jubo League post.

He said the glorious history of Jubo League should not be tarnished and requested the PM to bring fresh and committed leaders to Jubo League.