Awami League started the year relaxed by winning Narayanganj City Corporation election in January, but got challenges from foreign pressure from the middle and BNP in the field with program from September.

How was the Awami League last year! That account is now inside the team.

Talking to Bangladesh Pratidin, Mirza Azam, Organizing Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League said, “While the past year has been a year of organizational success for us, it has also had several challenges. BNP leaders announced that after December 10, the country will follow Khaleda Zia's words. In their thoughts and speech, such arrogance has been revealed that they will oust Awami League from power.”

“But Awami League is a party of the people. Being on the side of the people, they (BNP) are superflops. We have succeeded in the challenge,” he added.

Awami League has 78 organizational districts. Apart from this, there are more than 650 organized upazila police stations. For a long time, conferences could not be held in these districts, upazilas, police stations and municipalities.

Due to covid, several initiatives were taken but it was not possible. Awami League focused on organizational work as the outbreak of corona was somewhat less in the outgoing year.

In December, Awami League's sister organization Mahila Awami League, Jubo Mahila League and fraternal organization Chhatra League held a conference. Apart from this, there was a conference of the Freedom Doctors Council-Swachip. In these four organizations there have been surprises in terms of new leadership.

24th December was the 22nd National Conference of Awami League. A new committee of the party has been formed in view of the upcoming 12th National Assembly elections. For this, the party president has trusted in the past.

Discomfort due to MP-Ministers: In the past one year, there was a lot of discomfort inside and outside the Awami League due to the stupid comments of some important MPs and ministers in the government. They have to answer to the central leaders. A show cause notice has also been given to one or two. As a result, the party was also uncomfortable because of the ministers-state ministers and MPs.

Foreign Pressure and political challenges: Even though the 12th National Parliament election is yet to come, foreign diplomats are active in the field regarding this election. On the other hand, some political parties, including BNP, have constantly staged at embassies with various complaints.

Statements have also come from some states about BNP's meetings and gatherings. The government and the party had to handle these pressures.

On the other hand, result of the Ukraine-Russia war increased the price of crude oil. This has also affected the prices of daily commodities. Keeping this in mind, BNP started the divisional assembly from last September. Although the first rallies were not given importance, the bus owners' 'so-called strike' and various barricades gathered in crowds. The Awami League was shocked to see this.

General meeting ahead of the election: Awami League President Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina entered the field at the end of the year to strengthen leaders and activists. The party held mass meetings in Jessore on November 24, Chittagong on December 4 and Cox's Bazar on December 7. The physical presence of the party chief in the rally after a long time has energized the leaders and workers. Millions of people attended each rally. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked for votes in the next election from the rally.

Apart from this, a rally was held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on November 11. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the rally as the chief guest.

When asked how it went last year, Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak told Bangladesh Pratidin, “Due to covid party wasn’t able to hold rally in different parts of the country. The party president did not directly go to the field level.”

But last year, as the outbreak of covid decreased, the leader held large rallies in three districts. Leaders and workers of the party are excited by this.

@The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on December 28 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan.