9 Rajshahi AL leaders expelled

Awami League in Rajshahi has expelled nine leaders of Bagmara upazila who last month held lawmaker Enamul Haque responsible for fuelling militancy, outlawed activities and intra-party feuds.

The decision was taken in the district executive committee's meeting held at Nanking Darbar Hall in the city from 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, said district AL General Secretary Asaduzzaman Asad.

Of the expelled leaders, Bagmara Upazila Parishad Chairman and upazila unit AL General Secretary Zakirul Islam and Taherpur Municipality Mayor and municipal unit AL General Secretary Abul Kalam Azad showed interests in contesting the upcoming general elections.

Other expelled leaders are Jogipara Union Parishad Chairman and union AL General Secretary Mostafa Kamal, upazila unit Joint Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Organising Secretary Ziaul Haque, Science and Information Affairs Secretary Mamunur Rahman, Freedom Fighter Affairs Secretary Sahar Ali, and executive committee members Abdus Salam and Abdus Sobhan.

Earlier on September 26, 11 AL leaders from Bagmara went to the city unit and raised different allegations against Enamul Haque, lawmaker from Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara) constituency. They accused him of patronising militants and communist outlaws, committing corruption and creating intra-party feuds.

The next day, the upazila AL unit, of which Enamul Haque is the president, proposed to expel the 11 for violating party discipline by holding a press conference.

Following the proposal, the district AL committee sent show cause notices to the 11 leaders.

“The expulsion decision was taken after reviewing their answers,” said Asaduzzaman Asad.

Sreepur Union Parishad Chairman and upazila AL Vice-President Mokbul Hossain Mridha and Goalkandi UP chairman Alamgir Sarker were not expelled as they sought lenient action from the party, he added.

He further said lawmakers Enamul Haque, Ayen Uddin and Akter Jahan attended the district executive committee meeting, which was convened following a directive from the party's central unit.

Expelled leader Zakirul Islam, who was also a member of the district executive committee, was not allowed to attend the meeting.

Last night, Zakirul along with a huge number of his supporters took position at the district AL office in Lakshmipur area creating anxiety in the city.

A huge number of law enforcers were deployed in Lakshmipur and C&B intersection to avert any untoward situation.