Links to ‘Chakrijibi League’: Helena Jahangir loses AL post

Businessperson turned politician, Helena Jahangir, has been relieved from ruling Awami League's sub-committee on women's affairs over her activities in social media.

"She [Helena] has been relieved from her membership of the Awami League's subcommittee on women's affairs as her recent activities in social media are against the organisation's policy," said a press release signed by AL's women affairs secretary Meher Afroz Chumki yesterday.

Helena, the founder and CEO of Jayayatra Television, became a member of the AL's Central Sub-committee on Women affairs on January 18.

Earlier, she became a member of the advisory council of Cumilla (north) unit of AL.

Helena recently came into discussion after an announcement on a Facebook post to form "Awami Chakrijibi League" and claiming herself as the organisation's president.

She also announced that presidents and general secretaries will be appointed in the district, upazila and overseas units of the organisation in her post that went viral on social media.

Mentioning the issue, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said, "As per the constitutional provision of Awami League, it has associate bodies and sub-committees. Apart from recognised bodies, there is no scope for any organisation to get engaged with the party by adding words like 'League' or 'Awami' with its name."

In his regular press briefing, Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said when a party stays in power, different groups of opportunists and "cuckoos of spring" make such evil attempts to engage with the party and different "parasites" also get engaged, reports BSS.

As per the party president's announcement, if anyone inside the party is found directly or indirectly involved with such acts, immediate organisational actions will be taken against them, he said.  

The AL general secretary said administrative steps will also be taken against those who will make evil attempts to serve interests of individuals by using party name.

If any controversial person entered the party or if questions arise over activities of anyone, written complaint can be lodged to election tribunal at the party president's political office as per the party constitution, he said.