Following the student uprising and the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5, the registered parties of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance have disappeared.
Their central offices now lie abandoned.
The Awami League's headquarters has been reduced to ruins and has become a gathering place for homeless drug users and street children.
Leaders of the Ganatantri Party have fled, leaving their office unpaid.
Despite the election commission's (EC) documents listing an address, Tariqat Federation does not have an office at that location. Other political party offices are similarly locked. The central leaders of the Ganatantri Party have disappeared after vacating their office, leaving behind significant unpaid rent.
According to the EC's website, the party's central office is located on the 10th floor of Israt Tower, 6 Purana Paltan. However, a visit on Sunday found no office at this address, and nearby units were unaware of any party presence there.
Subsequent inquiries with the Israt Tower management confirmed that the party office was once located there, but no one has been seen since August 5, and outstanding rent remains. A lawyer has since rented the space.
Attempts to contact the mobile number listed on the EC's website for further information were unsuccessful. The tower management has placed some chairs, tables, microphones, and other furniture left by the party in the stairwell.
The election commission's website lists the address of the Bangladesh Tariqat Federation's central office as Flat A-1, House 51/A, Road 6/A, Dhanmondi/A, Dhaka.
However, there is currently no office for the party at this location, as it has been rented out to another tenant.
The property caretaker confirmed that the party's office existed prior to August 5, when an MP would frequently visit and many people would come. However, after August 5, they vacated the office, and a new tenant has since taken over the space.
The caretaker was unable to specify where the party has established its office. Attempts to contact the mobile number listed on the EC's website were also unsuccessful.
Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5, the Awami League's central office at 23 Bangabandhu avenue has been reduced to ruins. The burned building has now become a gathering spot for homeless drug users and street children. Nearby, BNP flags and Jamaat headbands are being sold. Local shopkeepers report that the office has turned into a hangout for these individuals. Occasionally, some people come by to take pictures.
They recall that on August 5, at 12 PM, the Awami League office was lively with the presence of leaders and activists. By 1 PM, they locked the main gate and left. Shortly thereafter, vandals set the office on fire. In the following days, many people took belongings from both inside and outside the office.
Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal (ML) lists its central office address on the election commission's website as 27/11/1 Topkhana Road, Dhaka. A recent visit revealed that no central leaders have come to the office since August 5, nor do other party members visit.
However, one party leader resides at the office and manages its operations. He is currently unwell and was unable to provide further information.
The central office of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) is located at 35-36 Bangabandhu avenue, Dhaka. Following August 5, some former leaders occupied the office, leading to vandalism. Subsequently, the current leaders and members of the JSD managed to reclaim it.
However, party members do not visit regularly; the office is opened only when someone from the party arrives.
A recent visit on Sunday found one individual reading a newspaper, though he was not a party member and was waiting for someone else. While no party members were present in the office, a man at a nearby tea stall identified himself as a central leader of the JSD.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said, “Our office was occupied and later reclaimed. It was vandalized. Since the party president's arrest, our leaders and workers are fearful. Many leaders are facing legal cases, with more emerging.”
The central office of the Workers Party is located at 31/F Topkhana Road, Dhaka. A recent visit revealed that, unlike before, leaders and members do not come to the office daily. Most are avoiding the office to steer clear of legal cases and arrests.
However, the office staff do come in to carry out some tasks before leaving. One staff member reported that the office was vandalized on August 5, and there were incidents of looting as well.
When contacted for further information, the acting president of the party, Mahmudul Hasan Manik, stated, “I maintain contact with the office. We don’t go regularly. The leaders and members are in a state of fear.”
The central office of the Jatiya Party (JP) is located at 5/5 Block A, Lalmatia, Mohammadpur, Dhaka. A recent visit on Sunday revealed that only one staff member was working in the office. A picture of the party chairman hung on the wall, and there was one table with six to seven chairs.
However, the office staff were reluctant to share information about the party leaders. Conversations with local residents indicated that no central leaders visit the office. Calls to the party leaders' phones went unanswered.
The central office of the Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP) is located at 20-21 Dhanmondi Hawkers Market (2nd Floor), Dhaka. A visit on Monday found no one present in the office.
However, nearby shopkeepers reported that the office is occasionally open, though leaders and members do not often visit.
When asked about this, the party president, Ivy Ahmed, stated, “Our organizational activities are currently stagnant due to the prevailing circumstances. Even when leaders and members come to the office, they don’t stay long.”
She added, “We were part of the 14-party alliance, but after a dispute with Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader before August 5, we have not been active in the alliance for some time, and we currently have no contact with the others in the 14-party alliance.”
Translated by ARK/Bd-Pratidin English
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