BCL told to stay alert over political killing: Tofail

Stating that there has been a misunderstanding between Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), senior Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed said that many want people to get killed in the name of politics.

“We’ve asked the Bangladesh Chhatra League to move carefully since many now want bodies (killings) in the political arena,” he said

Tofail, also a member of the AL Advisory Council, made the comment while talking to reporters after the cuncil's meeting at Ganabhaban in Dhaka on Tuesday night. The discussion was mostly focused on how to boost the party. “It has to be strengthened from the grassroots level,” he said.

The recent spate of clashes between the two student fronts of Awami League and BNP has heated up the country’s politics, with the BCL and JCD trading blames for the brawls.  

Tofail said conspiracies are underway against the party. 

“Awami League is a strong political party in the country. There will be conspiracies against it. But the party leaders and activists have been advised to carefully and constructively face them….. We’ve asked our leaders to stay alert,” he said. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the party chief, chaired the meeting where the opening of Padma Bridge on June 25 and Awami League’s founding anniversary on June 23 were also on the agenda. 

Meanwhile, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said the party high command has instructed its advisers to gear up for the next parliamentary election through.

He said, “They (the advisers) are the chairmen of some sub-committees. They were asked to give important advice to their respective committees through meetings and seminars ahead of the national polls and our annual summit.”

Stating that some 17 advisers addressed the meeting, he said the next general election and the party’s conference in December were prominently discussed there.

“Our party chief listened to them with full attention,” he said, adding that the Awamie League chairman stressed on boosting the party’s strength.

Hinting at BNP’s so-called bid to oust the government through movement, Quader vowed to resist them if things turn violent.

“We’ll have to resist those who unfold violence in the name of politics and movement,” said Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister.

“But we’ll face them if they approach politically. If anybody goes violent, the law will take its own course,” he added, before urging all to remain aware of a “deep-rooted” conspiracy in the country. 

The entire world is reeling from the impacts caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he observed. 

“We’re told to be careful and organisised, in such a situation. The party chief instructed us to form human chain, meaning it is an “innocent and peaceful” political program. Regarding political violence, she strictly advised us to avoid such clashes,” he furthered.