The ruling Awami League sat in a critical meeting on Friday to find out ways to tackle the runaway commodity prices, persistent power and energy crunch and growing political pressure by the opposition.
Presided over by party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the meeting of the central executive committee held at Ganabhaban made several key decisions, including holding of the party’s national council and public rallies.
Party General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told reporters during a break that the 22nd national council will be held in Dhaka city on December 24 and a public rally on Chattogram Polo Ground on December 4 this year.
Prime Minister's Press Wing Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Zahid Tushar said the party president asked its leaders to keep the expenses of the national council minimum in view of the current global economic crisis.
“The arrangement will be modest to cut the cost,” he quoted her as telling the leaders.
Tushar said the Awami League president announced that the BNP would be allowed to hold political gatherings, “but those involved in the crime would not be spared”.
“BNP can stage protests now as the Awami League believes in democracy. But those involved in murder, arson and militancy will be caught. They won’t be spared,” Tushar quoted Sheikh Hasina as saying.
The prime minister told the meeting that the Awami League has been voted to power for the third consecutive term as people have trust in the party.
“People will cast their votes this time too. But they don’t trust and won’t vote for those who are terrorists, murderers, looters of people’s money, bomb and grenade attackers, and money launderers,” she said.
Awami League Presidium members Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Kazi Zafrullah and Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary Dr Dipu Moni, Dr Hasan Mahmud and AFM Bahauddin Nasim also participated in the meeting.
Besides the party’s national council date, the meeting fixed the dates of the council for Dhaka Metropolitan North and South units.
The 21st national council of the Awami League was held on December 20-21 in 2019 when Sheikh Hasina was elected party president and Obaidul Quader general secretary.