[chottala.com] Reform issue returns to Awami League

Reform issue returns to Awami League

The reform issue has returned to Awami League once again—incidentally at a time of political uncertainties arising out of the government-opposition standoff.Top leaders of the party have started viewing with suspicion the leaders who in the past had pleaded for reforms in the party. The suspicion is being expressed openly after the refusal of senior leader Tofail Ahmed to join the cabinet.

Although Tofail Ahmed has given explanation for his refusal to become minister, it is not being taken easy by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and many other leaders of the party.Some of them are considering Tofail's refusal to take oath as a minister as his disobedience to AL president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.Party's General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam and some other leaders apprehend that the refusal has resulted from a 'conspiracy'. He expressed his apprehension at the party forum.

Some other leaders presented the incident to the premier negatively. It appears from the situation that a close scrutiny is going on as to why Tofail refused to accept the offer.AL advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu is also labelled as reformist like Tofail Ahmed. Amu, however, declined to make any comment on the issue.Replying to query whether refusal of Tofail invited problems for reformist leaders, former AL organizing secretary and once a reformist Mahmudur Rahman Manna said, "I do not know anybody as reformist. But everybody wants a change."According to him, the act of criticism against the government and seeking reform by anybody is not any offence.

As many leaders are criticizing the government within and outside the parliament, Tofail Ahmed has not committed any offence.
Heated discussions on Tofail Ahmed were held at the last working committee meeting on September 15.Syed Ashraf said Tofail Ahmed violated party discipline by refusing to join the cabinet. He alleged that Tofail Ahmed also held a meeting with the editor of an influential national daily. His refusal to join the cabinet is part of a "deep conspiracy".

It is learnt that Joint General Secretary of AL Mahbubul Alam Hanif raised a demand at the meeting for the expulsion of reformist leaders. He also mentioned the names of several leaders, including Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Prof Abu Sayed. He said there are many others who are causing harm to the party by making controversial statements introducing themselves as Awami Leaguers. This is a violation of party discipline, he said and urged Sheikh Hasina to take action against them.

In response, Sheikh Hasina termed it a good proposal and stated that a decision in this regard would be taken after discussion in the next working committee meeting.

A presidium member of AL said Sheikh Hasina held a meeting at Ganabhaban on Thursday with several influential presidium members and some of her close associates. There also she expressed angry reaction over Tofail's rejection of the offer for cabinet position. She is reported to have said Tofail may get temporary applaud but he may have to pay heavily for this in future.

Pro-reform Suranjit Sengupta has described Tofail's refusal as 'new equation' in politics. This comment also created suspicion in the minds of many.

A minister of the government said the offer to join cabinet was given to assess whether the stand of the reformist has changed. It was one kind of test put by Sheikh Hasina. Refusing to accept the proposal of the PM, Tofail Ahmed has failed in this test. The PM has not liked the attitude of Tofail Ahmed.

http://www.daily-sun.com/details_Reform-issue-returns-to-Awami-League_266_1_1_1_0.html

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