Against the backdrop of widespread criticism from different quarters over operating illegal casino, extortion and corruption, the Awami Jubo League, an associate body of ruling Bangladesh Awami League, is set to hold its seventh national congress today (Saturday) at the capital’s Suhrawardy Udyan.
The special event of Jubo League is aimed at selecting new leaderships with clean image, having honest background and loyal to the party, said sources. According to sources, Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, who will inaugurate the congress, herself will select the new leaderships for the Jubo League instead of relying on the voting process by the councilors.
The party sources said, at least 50 top ranking leaders of the immediate past committee of the Jubo League might be sidelined from the new congress for various reasons while many leaders might be selected from the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the students’ wing of AL, teachers from different universities as well as from the engineering, law and business sectors.
The sources said, at least 28 presidium members of the Jubo League’s past committee might not get any opportunity to join Jubo League due to age limitation as the party has decided that those who are over 55 years of age would not qualify for any posts. Besides, many other leaders may miss the opportunities for their previous record of having been involved in different illegal activities and crimes like casino business, extortion and tender manipulation.
It should be mentioned that the chairman of the Jubo League’s immediate past committee, Omar Faruq Chowdhury has been ousted from the party for his negative roles and being involved in alleged crimes while his close aides Ismail Hossain Samrat, GK Shamim, Khaled Mahmud Bhuiya and several others were expelled for the same reasons. Besides, a number of leaders are now on the run. As a result, it is sure of that the Jubo League is going to be formed with new leaderships from different sectors.
“Our party high command will introduce new leadership with clean image at the helm of Jubo League through the ongoing ‘cleanliness’ drives,” said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader. He said that Jubo League activists must be careful in electing their leaders so that people with clean and transparent image can come to the leadership.
Chayan Islam, Convenor of the council preparation committee, said, “Everything is ndepending of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is the organizational chief. He must chose new leadership for the greater interest of the organisation and the party as well.” “Those who would be able to keep the Jubo League safe would be selected as its leaders”, said Chayan Islam. Meanwhile, national councils of Bangladesh Krishak League were held on November 6, while the council of Jatiya Sramik League was held on November 9 and Awami Swechchhasebak League’s council was held on November 16.
