AL looks divided

Ruling Awami League leaders are apparently divided over Sajeeb Wazed Joy's entry into politics and becoming the party's candidate from the Rangpur-6 constituency at the next parliamentary polls.
Some party leaders say Joy, the only son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, should get directly involved in party politics while others think that time will bring the heir of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman into the realm of politics.
Those who think Joy should get involved in direct politics argue that he could help the party and also the country in achieving technological advancement with the involvement of educated youths as he has vast experience in the IT sector.
Several leaders, on the other hand, think that people would compare Joy with Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman, who is an accused in corruption cases.
Such comparison may harm Joy's image if he joins politics, they observe.
The issue came up for discussion when Momtaz Uddin, acting president of Rangpur district AL, at a press conference on Monday demanded that Joy become a candidate from a Rangpur constituency and Hasina formally announce his name at a public rally at Pirganj today.
Hasina along with Joy and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul will visit their home at Pirganj upazila in the district and offer special prayers at Dr Wazed Miah's grave here.
The premier will also inaugurate around a dozen development projects in the upazila today.
Party sources said Hasina would not introduce Joy as the party's prospective candidate from the Rangpur-6 constituency at the next general elections.
Earlier, Rangpur AL had given Joy the party's primary membership.
“The party chief may tell the people of Pirganj that from now on, Joy will stay beside you and work with you while introducing him as an MP candidate,” an AL lawmaker told The Daily Star, preferring not to be named.
However, a top official at the Prime Minister's Office said Joy would work for the party at the next election. “He will in no way be a candidate for any constituency,” he added.
Contacted, AL Organising Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said there was strong aspiration from local people as well as leaders and workers of the AL to get him nominated as the party's candidate from Rangpur-6 constituency.
Khalid, who is in charge of looking after the AL's Rangpur division activities, also said Joy himself would finally decide whether he wants to take part in the election or not.