Internal conflict fuelled by the fallout from the recent 12th national parliament elections escalates in Awami League.
The rift, initially triggered by clashes between party-backed boat candidates and independent contenders, is now spilling over into constituencies, creating a toxic atmosphere of disunity.
Local leaders and party workers, caught in the crossfire, are increasingly defying the chain of command, further deepening the turmoil. Political analysts warn that if left unchecked, this internal conflict could spiral into an "organizational disaster" for the Awami League.
Concerns grow as the party leadership appears to lack a tangible plan for conflict resolution. The lack of action is fueling anxieties within the party and raising questions from the public about how the Awami League intends to address this potentially damaging internal struggle.
Analysts point to the potential for long-term repercussions. The ongoing disarray, they argue, could erode the party's image and organizational efficacy, hindering its ability to govern effectively.
Additionally, the infighting provides ammunition for the opposition, who are likely to exploit the rift to their advantage.
Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University told Bangladesh Pratidin, “Boat candidates and independent candidates all have the same ideal. All of them hold the ideals of Bangabandhu and do politics. In a democratic system, there will always be wins and losses. It is not at all desirable to blame or attack the defeated candidate, or to attack the activists and supporters of the defeated candidate for winning.”
“Attack-conflict, conflict is a terrorist activity. There is no conflict with democracy. Strict action should be taken against those who cause conflict-attacks. It is organizationally and legally. Then this dispute will be resolved. Besides, there is no way,” he added.
As per reports, at least six people have been killed in the post-election violence till Sunday. Attacks, clashes, conflicts are going on from time to time. There is no way to control the boat versus independent candidates. Most of the dead and injured are Awami League or affiliated organization leaders or supporters at the local level.
Miscreants killed a youth named Palash (35) in Nateshwar of Sonaimuri of Noakhali-2 Constituency on Saturday night. The police recovered the deceased with a crushed head. Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan Manik, the independent candidate of Noakhali-2 Constituency who was defeated, said that the deceased Palash was his election agent and worked on his behalf.
In the post-election violence in Munshiganj, half a hundred houses were attacked and cocktail explosions, vandalism and looting took place. The attack took place at Solarchar and Bakultala villages of Aadhaar Union in Char area of Sadar Upazila around 6:30 am Sunday. Three people, including two women, were injured in the incident. The victims complained of looting gold ornaments, cash and cows and goats.
They accused the attack against the supporters of independent candidate Haji Faisal Biplab who won the same constituency because they supported the defeated boat candidate of Munshiganj-3 constituency in the election.
Former president of Sirajganj district Awami League, former minister Abdul Latif Biswas in a press conference in Belkuchi of Sirajganj complained that boat supporters from Jamaat-BNP are attacking my leaders and workers. At least 2,000 leaders and activists of the constituency have been displaced due to their attacks. He alleged that the people of Momin Mandal, the winner of the boat, are involved in all this.
Even though the national parliament elections are over, the struggle of the workers-supporters of independent and boat candidates is not over. No one knows exactly how it will end. More than 200 people were injured so far. Among them, clashes and casualties were reported in various areas including Netrakona, Sirajganj, Kushtia, Noakhali, Comilla, Jhenaidah, Madaripur.
The policy makers of the party said that action will be taken as a party. It will decrease very soon.
Awami League presidium member AHM Khairuzzaman Liton told Bangladesh Pratidin, "During the election, the instructions of the party president were that everyone can campaign and vote." Anyone can be voted for and asked for. But do not engage in any kind of conflict. That directive is still in force. Organizational action will be taken against those involved in clashes after the polls. At the same time, legal action will be taken.
Awami League's joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nashim told Bangladesh Pratidin that we did not hold a victory procession because there would be a rivalry. On January 10, we celebrated the victory festival through the homecoming ceremony of the Father of the Nation. Because of that, there have been some isolated incidents. I don't think it will happen anymore. Organizational and criminal action will be taken against anyone who does so.
Awami League's organizing secretary BM Mozammel Haque told Bangladesh Pratidin that after the national elections, the conflict between independents and boat candidates has now become public. It's a complex issue, yet efforts are underway to resolve the issue. We are a big party, the expectations of leaders and workers are also big. It is normal that there will be errors. But everything will be fine.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on January 15 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
