In a surprising move, the Faridpur Awami League has ousted ten key members, including AK Azad, an independent candidate for the Faridpur-3 (Sadr) constituency, just before the upcoming elections in Faridpur, Bangladesh. The decision was conveyed through an official notice signed by President Shamim Haq and General Secretary Shah Md. Ishtiak Arif.
The notice alleges various wrongdoings by the expelled members, accusing them of working against the party's endorsed candidate in the corresponding area and violating party rules. Notably, AK Azad, a former member of the Awami League's Advisory Council, had chosen to run as an independent candidate after being denied the party's nomination. President Shamim Haq is the designated candidate for the party in the specific constituency.
According to the notice, the ousted individuals were accused of actively collaborating with a rival candidate and failing to attend community party gatherings, which contradicts party regulations and jeopardizes the group's objectives and interests. The removal is justified under sections 4(1) and 4(11) of the party constitution, as mentioned in the official communication.
However, the ousted leaders are disputing the action. Ivy Masood, the women's affairs secretary of the local Awami League, argues that the party head lacks the authority to directly expel members and can only recommend such action to a central group. Deputy General Secretary Shawkat Ali Zahid asserts that proper protocols were not followed, highlighting the absence of a regional committee gathering or a two-thirds majority endorsement for the removal.
These allegations and counter-claims have triggered disagreement and raised uncertainties about the internal workings of the party just ahead of the elections. The incident introduces an element of unpredictability into the electoral landscape of Faridpur-3, leaving questions about the potential impact on both the local election results and the broader political scenario in Bangladesh.
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