Only 8 months left for upcoming national elections and the ruling party Awami League (AL) is taking preparations for ensuring votes of the voters in their favor. They have been preparing election manifesto, increasing the number of party members, arranging open meetings, promoting their development works across the country, along with holding activist and extended meetings.

They’ve no plan to hold iftar party, but the party leaders are going to the doorsteps of marginal people to distribute iftar items. In addition, the messages are also sent to the party men over whose going to make the election with the party symbol ‘Boat.’ The party president Sheikh Hasina is also providing direction to current MPs and potential candidates who’s going to get nominations. The leaders also began to work rigorously upon receiving the message of party president.

According to the party sources, the inclusion of new members is their priority task ahead of upcoming national election. It will give priority the first time voters and the women and take flexible policy in adding new members. In past, the party used to distribute forms among the members of the family that are already involved in AL politics. However, they are not in that stance and now, anyone who’s obedient to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and possess resolute mind regarding independence and sovereignty of the country, could become member of the party.

In this regard, AL joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “Collecting new members is one of our priority tasks in making the party stronger ahead of national polls. We will check whether the applicants are resolute regarding the independence and sovereignty of the country and obedient to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. However, we won’t make members anyone from the families who have record of being war criminals and involvement in anti-state activities.”

He said the party will not count whether the applicant have distance family connection with BNP or any opposition party. If he/she holds the ideology of the father of the Nation, he can be their member

According to party sources, Awami League Chairperson Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has always been asking the party leaders-activists-MPs-ministers that the next national parliament election will be very challenging. That is why the party leaders-workers-MP-ministers have been instructed to take every step carefully.

She asked common people to be associated with the party and increase participation in the programs. For this reason, the responsible leaders are emphasizing the membership campaign. Awami League presidium member Dr. Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin told The Bangladesh Pratidin, "We have started the election preparations. Distribution of iftar items, going to the marginalized groups, holding executive meetings, extended meetings and grass root conferences— all are part our election preparations.”  

He said party president Sheikh Hasina is giving a message to those who will get the boat symbol in the upcoming parliamentary elections. She also told in which areas they have to be more active. Apart from this, the task of creating a 'smart' manifesto for the next parliamentary elections is began.

Party sources said the leaders of the ruling party will carry out a campaign to collect members across the country till next October. This program will start in May after Eid. Awami League does not hold any organizational program in August. That's why all activities will be closed this month. The program will continue in September-October. The country's electoral rush will begin in November. For that reason, the leaders of the policy-making forum of the party think that these five months are the right time to collect members.

On March 15, in an event at the Awami League's central office on Bangabandhu Avenue, the party's general secretary, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader urged the responsible leaders of the divisions to gather members. After that, the responsible leaders instructed the concerned district leaders over the phone to collect new books from the party president's office. Many districts have already taken the books. The process of their recruiting members continues, while some are waiting to collect after Eid.

Awami League's organizing secretary Mirza Azam told The Bangladesh Pratidin, 'We have started the task of increasing members in the party over the instructions of the party president Sheikh Hasina. Already, gathering of members of Dhaka city has been completed, along with unit, ward and Thana conferences. Unit committee is given. Now the process of forming the ward and Thana committee is going on.”

He said, "Districts under the divisions that haven’t already taken the member collection book, are now taking it. Priority is given to first-time voters, young generation and women, because the election results turn towards where the young generation and women take stance.”

 Party leaders said many voters are floating, who are not supporters of any party. Many have become new voters again this time. The process of making them members has been started. AL now is targeting to make 2 crore new members. Apart from this, the membership renewal program is continuing in the party.

In this regard, organizing secretary of Rajshahi division SM Kamal Hossain told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “Those who believe in the spirit of the liberation war and ideologies of Bangabandhu, and obey the orders of Sheikh Hasina will be made members. This activity regarding it will be strengthened in Rajshahi division after Eid.”

Ahmad Hossain, the organizing secretary in charge of the Sylhet division, told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “Membership renewal and membership collection process of the party is an ongoing work. It is ongoing in districts and upazilas which will be strengthened after Eid.”

 Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan, the organizing secretary in charge of Chittagong Division, told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “The campaign to collect party members has been fostered ahead of the upcoming National elections. Those who love Bangladesh, believe and cherish the ideals of the great liberation struggle, have faith in the ideals of Bangladesh Awami League, and are confident in the leadership of the world's best politician Deshratna Sheikh Hasina, can become primary members of Awami League.”

Sujit Roy Nandi, the organizing secretary in charge of Rangpur division, told The Bangladesh Pratidin, "The task of collecting and renewing members is going on in many districts and upazilas of our division. Those districts and upazilas who have not yet collected the membership forms have been instructed to collect the membership book from the office of party president." 

@The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on April 9 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque