Jalil draws flak

The Awami League may take organisational action against its advisory council member Abdul Jalil for making statements that go against party interests.
In an interview with the London-based Bangla TV, Jalil, the former AL general secretary, said the party's sweeping victory in the ninth parliamentary elections came through an "understanding". He, however, did not make it clear with whom the party negotiated.
Bangla TV broadcast part of the interview at 4:00am Bangladesh time on Wednesday. In the interview, Jalil who is currently staying in London on a business trip said most cabinet ministers used to keep close contacts with the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence.
Jalil was reportedly assaulted by some party men in Birmingham, UK, for making the comments. Sources said Jalil reached Coventry Road in Birmingham at about 11:00pm Bangladesh time yesterday to attend a programme there to expand his business as the chairman of Mercantile Bank. A group of UK-based AL supporters stopped Jalil and assaulted him for his comments.
Immediately after the incident Jalil left the place for London.
The AL Central Working Committee, which will hold its first meeting on October 3 since the party's national council on July 24, will discuss the matter, party insiders said.
AL high-ups have expressed resentment over Jalil's statement, saying his comments have humiliated the party and the people's verdict in favour of the party.
"Disciplinary action must be taken against Abdul Jalil for his statement," AL Presidium member Obaidul Quader told The Daily Star.
He said the matter will be discussed in the meetings of the Central Working Committee and party Presidium after Prime Minister and party chief Sheikh Hasina returns home from the United States.
"Why would he [Jalil] have to make statements against the party and government while in a foreign country?" Obaidul said, adding that if he had anything to say, he could have said it in party forum.
"I do not think he showed patriotism by speaking against the country's politics abroad," said Obaidul.
A few other AL leaders think that Jalil's statement would have no impact on the party but it would inspire the opposition camps to criticise the government and the AL. No one, not even the international community, raised any question over the results of the December 29 parliamentary elections, they said.