The ruling Bangladesh Awami League may take organisational action against its lawmakers and ministers for keeping their relatives in the upcoming Upazila Parishad poll race in violation of the party discipline
At least two dozens of kin of the Awami League lawmakers and ministers are contesting the first phase of UZ polls scheduled for May 8, ignoring the decision of the high command of the party.
In a major move, the Awami League on April 18 directed the kin of the ministers and party lawmakers to stay off the UZ polls to be held in four phases.
The party has also warned of taking organisational action if anyone of them participates in the UZ polls or any minister or lawmaker extends support to them defying the directives of the top brass of the party. The issue is likely
to be discussed during a meeting of the Awami League Central Working Committee, the highest policy making body of the party.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday at Prime Minister’s official residence Ganabhaban with AL president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Insiders say apart from the organisational and overall political issues, other programmes, including the observance of the party’s platinum jubilee celebration on June 23, Sheikh Hasina’s homecoming day on May 17 and historic six-point day on June 7 may be discussed in the meeting.
Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim said that an important decision may come from the ALCWC meeting.
“The breaching of party decision never yields a positive result,” he said.
Organising secretaries say that why the kin of the MPs and ministers refrain from withdrawing their kin from the race, ignoring the party directives, will be discussed.
The names of the kin, who are still in the poll race defying the party directives, will be handed over to the AL president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, they say, adding that the prime minister will take the final decision in this regard.
Grassroots leaders of the party are also waiting to have the final decision on the UZ polls from the central body.
It is learnt that the kin of MPS and ministers are taking preparations for the next two phases of the UZ polls.
The aspirants say that they will take the final decision based on the decision of the ALCWC.
Sources say that there are difference of opinions among the central leaders as the party has not cleared the stance on those who are serving as UZ chairmen.
Many kin of the MPs and ministers are serving as UZ chairmen. Though they are kin of MPs and ministers, they are doing politics for a long period of time. Central leaders say that everything will be cleared after the meeting.