Awami League mobilises against Yunus government

Muhammad Yunus
| Photo Credit: AP

After months of maintaining a low profile, the deposed Awami League of Bangladesh has begun to mobilise both inside the country and in different parts of the world. The political party that ruled Bangladesh for over a decade and a half faced serious setbacks when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Cabinet colleagues were deposed and fled the country in August. However, over the past few weeks, AL leaders have begun to challenge the interim government headed by Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus.

Earlier this week, the joint secretary of the Awami League, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, lashed out against the Yunus government following the recommendations made by the Constitution Reforms Commission seeking fundamental changes to the state of Bangladesh. In a statement, the Awami League leader said in Dhaka that the “commission has recommended removal of secularism, socialism, and nationalism from the 1972 constitution and the recommendations are not acceptable at all.”

Former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Hasan Mahmud, is known to have taken refuge in Belgium. and the All European Awamii League has been holding multiple meetings in Belgium protesting against growing instances of mob justice and breakdown in police system and administration.

The main overground political party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that was in sync with the interim government in August and September is no longer extending unconditional support. On Sunday, General Secretary of BNP Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir echoed the concerns as enunciated by Mr. Hanif of the Awami League. Mr. Mirza Fakhrul said that the far reaching changes suggested by the reform commissions will not be accepted without all party consensus. The statement was made following an event on the 89th birth anniversary of founder of the BNP and late Presdent Ziaur Rahman in Dhaka.