Military troopers patrol on a road as part of heightened safety measures main as much as February 12, 2026 Parliamentary nationwide election, in Dhaka, on February 11, 2026.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
As Bangladesh goes to the polls, the Awami League continues to stay underground whereas its staff perform inside discussions dissecting the explanations behind the get together’s downfall.
The get together’s high management, together with deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stay in exile in numerous international locations comparable to India and Belgium, its grassroots leaders mince no phrases whereas analyzing the explanations that led to the overthrow of the get together within the 2024 rebellion.
Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and Hasan Mahmud, who have been Ministers within the Sheikh Hasina Authorities, addressed press conferences in Delhi in January, however Awami League staff who spoke to The Hindu right here stated that lots of the Ministers and people who shaped the coterie round Ms. Hasina lacked recognition and acceptance throughout the get together.
Mohammed Nahid Akhtar Nahan, a mid-level chief of the Awami League in Rajshahi division, stated that the get together grew to become internally weak with the passing away of Syed Ashraful Islam, who served as normal secretary of the Awami League. Mr. Islam was the son of Syed Nazrul Islam, one of many 4 main leaders who have been killed throughout the notorious ‘jail killing day’ on November 3, 1975. Mr. Nahan stated that Mr. Islam had an impeccable status throughout the get together and dedication to its founding rules.
After Mr. Islam died in 2019, Senior Minister Obaidul Quader grew to become the Normal Secretary. “Obaidul Quader and Residence Minister Asaduzzaman Khan weren’t common. They wielded energy and took vital choices, however the get together didn’t profit organisationally. Folks from exterior have been introduced into the get together as a result of they have been large businessmen, and grassroots organisers have been mistreated or downgraded, and voicing frank opinion was discouraged,” stated Mr. Nahan.
He additional shared that whereas a number of high leaders of the Awami League fled the nation, it was the mid- and lower-level staff who needed to face the brunt of common anger. He claimed that his household house in Rajshahi was attacked in July-August 2024 and that ever since, he and his relations have been residing in Dhaka as the big city unfold of the town offers them some sense of safety.
“Obaidul Quader began selling hybrid leaders who got here to the Awami League however promoted the pursuits of their companies and different political agendas,” stated Mr. Nahan. He stated that life has been troublesome for the reason that Awami League stays banned, although the employees of the get together can transfer round and maintain conferences amongst themselves.
One other Awami League employee, Rakesh Chandra Sarkar of Brahmanbaria district, stated the get together’s supporters are not looking for the coterie that used to encompass Ms. Hasina to take any vital position in future. Mr. Sarkar, who’s an advocate in Brahmanbaria, stated Awami League staff and supporters are connected to the get together and the historical past of Liberation Battle of 1971, however they don’t regard the highest Ministers of the deposed authorities extremely.
He additionally advised {that a} good variety of Awami League voters will vote for the Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering (BNP) as they really feel that, within the present circumstances, the BNP can stabilise the nation. “We’re staff of the get together, and for us, the get together comes first. Individuals are genuinely upset with the leaders who used to encompass Hasina and benefited essentially the most and at the moment are hiding overseas. We don’t need them to return and take cost of our get together sooner or later,” stated Mr. Sarkar.
Revealed – February 11, 2026 09:42 pm IST