Ignoring party command:  AL ministers, MPs may face actions

The ruling Awami League (AL) issued a directive asking the family members and relatives of the ministers and AL lawmakers not to contest in the upcoming upazila polls, take part in the election campaigns and not to support any candidate. 

The decision was taken in a bid to ensure a competitive election with a good voter turnout in the upazila elections, which are going to start on May 8. 

At the directive of AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader issued the command.

AL organizing secretaries conveyed the message to the ministers and MPs, if anyone takes part in the polls ignoring the directive, organizational steps, including expulsion from the party, will be taken against him or her. 

Obaidul Quader instructed organizing secretaries, office secretaries and deputy office secretaries to make a list in this regard.  
Immediately, the Awami League general secretary informed the decision to Madaripur MP Shahjahan Khan and Noakhali MP EKramul Karim Chowdhury. 

But, it is being seen that many influential leaders are ignoring the party command that is a barrier to creating an influence-free voting environment.

In many places, Awami League MPs have declared and supported their favourite candidates as party candidates. Not only this, such a situation has been created that a total of 26 candidates have been elected unopposed in the first phase of upazila parishad elections.

Among them, seven have been elected for the post of chairman, nine for the post of vice chairman and 10 for the post of female vice chairman. 

Experts say local influential leaders of the Awami League and local lawmakers are exerting pressure on behalf of their supported candidates in these elections as a result many candidates fear to participate in the elections. Internal conflicts are turning into clashes or violence as influential leaders are trying to create influence for their respective candidates. 

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will return home on April 29 after her Thailand visit. An executive committee meeting of the party will be held on April 30. Actions may come from the meeting against those who have violated the party command, party insiders said.