Commoners join AL‍‍`s polls manifesto drafting

The ruling Awami League is all set to prepare its manifesto for the next general election aiming to turn Digital Bangladesh into Smart Bangladesh.  

And much to the surprise of many, ordinary people are taking part in the process directly. And the ruling party has already published a public notice in this regard.  The manifesto preparation committee of the party is now scrutinizing suggestions by the general people. 

Smart Bangladesh to reign supreme

The manifesto is to focus on the outline for Smart Bangladesh, sources said, adding, some massive changes are also likely in it.

But they are not revealing the potential changes now. 

Primary discussion on the manifesto was held in the first meeting of the election manifesto subcommittee on September 28. 

The subcommittee members then decided to examine the previous manifestos before drafting the next one and once ready, it will be submitted to the party chief, Shaikh Hasina.

Public notification 

The Awami League published the notification seeking public opinion on mentioning in the manifesto the major works by the government in different sectors and the measures that can be taken if it retains power. 

Advocate Sayem Khan, a member of the committee, said they would prioritize the people’s thoughts.  

“We want to make the pledges based on the people’s demand,” he said.  

“People from different social strata are responding to the notification, pitching their suggestions.” 

During a recent visit to the party’s main office, it was seen that members of the manifesto committee were scrutinizing letters sent from parts of the country. 

What to get more importance? 

Agriculture Minister and the committee’s convener, Abdur Razzaque, said, “Employment of the youth will be among the election pledges. 

“We’re keen to become a middle-income country in line with the SDGs. And our manifesto will be focused on that,” he said.

The issues of poverty and inflation will be in the manifesto, said Razzaque, also a presidium member of the Awami League. 

Becoming Smart Bangladesh by 2041, the Delta Plan and the fourth industrial revolution will also get importance in the manifesto, he furthered.    

Meanwhile, Sayem said that they will give priority on how to avoid economic debacle during any global crisis, in the manifesto. 

Echoing the same as Razzaque, Sayem said: “What we are giving most importance is youth employment. Most of the voters are young.

“Also in the manifesto, we’ll continue our stance against militancy and fundamentalism, and how to eradicate them.”  

The committee members

Other than Razzaque and Sayem, the rest members of the committee are by AL Information and Research Secretary and Member Secretary of manifesto formulation committee Dr Salim Mahmud, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Prof AASM Dr Arefin Siddique, Dr Sattar Mandal, Dr Bazlul Haque Khandkar, Dr Shamsul Alam, AL Joint General Secretary and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and AL Joint General Secretary Dr Dipu Moni, Shekhar Dutta, Dr Maksud Kamal, Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, Prof Sadeka Halim, Sajjadul Hassan, MP, Advocate Tarana Halim, Wasika Ayesha Khan, Barrister Biplab Barua, Junaid Ahmed Palak, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and Prof Mohammad A Arafat.