Shaken, AL plans to rejig Gazipur units
The ruling Awami League will reorganise its Gazipur district and city units after its mayor nominee lost to an independent on Thursday.
Besides, the AL will identify the reasons why its nominee Azmat Ullah Khan lost the election and the activists who acted against him, insiders said.
Azmat, president of Gazipur city AL, met with Awami League President Sheikh Hasina at the Gono Bhaban yesterday.
In the Gazipur city polls, Azmat conceded defeat after officials announced that Zaida Khatun, an independent, won by a margin of 16,197 votes. Zaida is the mother of suspended Gazipur mayor and expelled AL leader Zahangir Alam.
Hasina yesterday asked Azmat about the reasons why he lost. She also wanted to know the number of votes he got in the neighbourhoods of certain party leaders and MPs. Azmat then presented the prime minister with the data, according to sources.
Hasina told Azmat to visit each ward of the city and talk to local leaders to reorganise the party, the sources added.
During the meeting, Azmat handed the PM two books he had written.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque visited Azmat's home in Tongi last night.
The AL leadership is collecting information about the role of grassroots leaders, Azmat's polling agents, word councillors of the AL, said sources.
The AL might also form a committee to identify the reasons behind Azmat's defeat.
"We must know the reasons. Gazipur was a lesson for the Awami League. If we can't find the reasons, we can't make use of the lesson," an AL leader told The Daily Star, wishing anonymity.
Besides, the AL asked its leaders and activists in Dhaka city not to engage in arguments or clashes with opposition activists unless they came under attack by the opposition activists.
The directive was given at a joint meeting of the secretaries, presidents and general secretaries of Dhaka city units of the AL and its affiliated bodies.
The meeting was held at the AL headquarters on Bangabandhu Avenue.
At the meeting, the AL leaders said they would continue to hold the peace rallies and prepare for the national election, slated for January next year.
"BNP men are giving the wrong message. But I will ask the AL leaders and activists to deal with the situation calmly. We will not do anything first. But if an attack on AL men takes place, they will not be spared," AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader told reporters after the meeting.
He also alleged that the BNP was conspiring to disrupt the election. He also wondered what the US would do about those who obstruct the AL from holding a free and fair election.
No sanction will stop the election and the government has no worries about sanctions, he said. "Foreigners are our friends, not masters. The BNP is involved in bad politics. If the ruling Awami League remains united, the BNP will be defeated."
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