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Associated Bodies

AL debates today changes to its constitution

Hasan Jahid Tusher
Amidst differences of opinion on retaining die provisions for party's 'associated' organisations in its constitution, Awami League's (AL) highest decision-making body holds a crucial meeting today to decide on the matter and to bring some amendments to it to get registered with the Election Commission (EC).
A draft of the amendments to the party constitution will be placed at today's meeting of the AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC) with suggestions not to keep the names of associated bodies in it, sources said.
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The draft prepared by AL advisory council member HT Imam and AL information and research secretary Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin also suggested that the associated organisations work independ-
The ALCWC meeting will be held at party chief Sheikh Hasina's political office in Dhanmondi with acting party President Zillur Rahman in the chair.
On Thursday, AL acting President Zillur Rahman firmly said the associated organisations must stay with the party. But acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam had earlier said the party must not have such bodies. Their conflicting views created confusion.
Talking to The Daily Star HT Imam, a former cabinet secretary, said the draft prepared by them recommends making the associated organisations independent. In reply to a question, he said they wanted dropping their names from the party constitution.
"But obviously there must be associated organisations, which will work independently in line with provisions of the new electoral laws," he said.
The party's 1986 constitution when there was only one associated organisation - Bangladesh Awami Mohila League.
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda said on Wednesday that political parties do not need to completely sever ties with all front or associated organisations but they have to sever links with students, teachers and labourers bodies in party constitution to meet the registration criteria.
The ALCWC meet will also take up issues like party registration, organisational situation, election strategy, manifesto, polls preparation and campaign, nomination process, formation of grand electoral alliance, and permanent release of Sheikh Hasina.
The meeting might take decisions like 33 percent quota for women at all levels of the party and nominations on the basis of recommendations from the grassroots level, party sources said..
Sources said decisions to be taken at the meeting would be finalised after consultation with the AL chief now in London to see her sister Sheikh Rehana. Hasina has already talked to some senior leaders including Zillur and Syed Ashraful Islam, party insiders said.’