Awami League: Difference between revisions
can you provide any reasonable source that AL is connected to CPI? The sister party of CPI in Bangladesh is CPB. |
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party_name = Awami League | |
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==Post Independence == |
==Post Independence == |
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The party is now headed by [[Sheikh Hasina]], the daughter of the late Sheikh [[Mujibur Rahman]]. The Awami League has been in government for two terms, eight years and a half, in the 18 democratic years among 34 years of Bangladesh's independence. It came to power after independence in [[1972]] under |
The party is now headed by [[Sheikh Hasina]], the daughter of the late Sheikh [[Mujibur Rahman]]. The Awami League has been in government for two terms, eight years and a half, in the 18 democratic years among 34 years of Bangladesh's independence. It came to power after independence in [[1972]] under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. However, Mr. Rahman was unable to control widespread corruption of his associates, family members, and governments officials and failed to restore order in the society. As a result, the famine of 1974 was inevitable. Thousands and thousands of people died, and support for Mujib declined dramatically. |
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In January 1975, Mujib declared a state of emergency and later assumed the presidency after the Awami League-dominated parliament made the presidency an executive post. |
In January 1975, Mujib declared a state of emergency and later assumed the presidency after the Awami League-dominated parliament made the presidency an executive post. He introduced BAKSAL, a Mujib loyalist paramilitary, in order to reinforce his dictatorship. BAKSAL replaced the multi-party parliamentary democracy, banned independent newspapers, and demolished civil rights. Thousands of opposition political leaders were killed and abducted by the BAKSAL and most of them abductees never returned. |
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These negative developments led to a widespread dissatisfaction among the people and even inside the Army. In [[15 August]] [[1975]] some junior members of the armed forces in [[Dhaka]], led by Major Faruk Rahman, and Major Rashid killed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all his family members who lived with him. Within two months' time four of its top leaders, [[Syed Nazrul Islam]], [[Tajuddin Ahmed]], captain M [[Mansur Ali]] and AHM [[Qamaruzzaman]] were killed inside the [[Dhaka Central Jail]] on [[November 3]] [[1975]]. Only two daughters of Mujib, who were in West Germany as a part of a cultural exchange program, survived the |
These negative developments led to a widespread dissatisfaction among the people and even inside the Army. In [[15 August]] [[1975]] some junior members of the armed forces in [[Dhaka]], led by Major Faruk Rahman, and Major Rashid killed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all his family members who lived with him. Within two months' time four of its top leaders, [[Syed Nazrul Islam]], [[Tajuddin Ahmed]], captain M [[Mansur Ali]] and AHM [[Qamaruzzaman]] were killed inside the [[Dhaka Central Jail]] on [[November 3]] [[1975]]. Only two daughters of Mujib, who were in West Germany as a part of a cultural exchange program, survived the killing. They later took political assylam in UK. The elder daughter, [[Sheikh Hasina]], later moved to [[India]] and lived in self-exile. Her stays abroad helped her gain important political friends in the West and in India that proved to be a valuable asset for the party in future. |
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After 1975, the party remained split in rivalling factions, and fared poorly in the 1978 parliamentary elections held under a military government. In 1981, [[Sheikh Hasina]] returned after the largest party faction elcted her its president, took over party leadership, and sucessfully united the factions. However, because of being underage she could not take part in the 1981 presidential elections that followed the assasination of military dictator [[Ziaur Rahman]]. |
After 1975, the party remained split in rivalling factions, and fared poorly in the 1978 parliamentary elections held under a military government. In 1981, [[Sheikh Hasina]] returned after the largest party faction elcted her its president, took over party leadership, and sucessfully united the factions. However, because of being underage she could not take part in the 1981 presidential elections that followed the assasination of military dictator [[Ziaur Rahman]]. Even after declaring that her party is not going to participate in the general elections in 1986 under military dictatorship, she took AL to the polls to legitimise the rule of General Ershad. |
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When the first free and acceptable parliamentary polls since 1975 was held in in 1991, Awami League emerged as the largest opposition party in the parliament. It made major electoral gains in 1994 as its candidates won mayoral elections in the two largest cities of the country: capital [[Dhaka]] and commercial capital [[Chittagong]]. Demanding electoral reforms, the party resigned from the parliament in 1995, boycotted the February 1996 parliamentary polls, and subsequently won 146 out of 300 seats in June 1996 parliamentary polls. Supported by a few smaller parties, Awami League formed a "Government of National Unity," and elected a non-partisan person, retired Chief Justice, [[President of Bangladesh|President]] [[Shahabuddin Ahmed]] to be the head of state. |
When the first free and acceptable parliamentary polls since 1975 was held in in 1991, Awami League emerged as the largest opposition party in the parliament. It made major electoral gains in 1994 as its candidates won mayoral elections in the two largest cities of the country: capital [[Dhaka]] and commercial capital [[Chittagong]]. Demanding electoral reforms proposed by Jamaat leader Golam Azam, the party along with Jamaat resigned from the parliament in 1995, boycotted the February 1996 parliamentary polls, and subsequently won 146 out of 300 seats in June 1996 parliamentary polls. Supported by a few smaller parties, Awami League formed a "Government of National Unity," and elected a non-partisan person, retired Chief Justice, [[President of Bangladesh|President]] [[Shahabuddin Ahmed]] to be the head of state. |
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AL's second term in office had mixed achievments. Apart from sustaining economic stability, the government successfully settled Bangladesh's long standing dispute with India over sharing the water of river [[Ganga]] (also know as [[Padma]]) in late 1996, and signed a peace traty with tribal rebels in 1997. In 1998, Bangladesh faced one of the worst floods ever, and the government successfully handled the crisis. It also had significant achievments in containing inflation, and peacefully neutralising a long-running leftist insurgency in south-western districts dating back to the firsl AL government's time. However, rampant corruption allegations against party office bearers and ministers as well as detereorating law and order situation troubled the government. Its last months in office were marred by sporadic bombing by alleged Islamist millitants. Hasina herself escaped several attempts on her life, in one of which cases two [[anti-tank mine]]s were planted under her helipad in [[Gopalganj district]]. In July 2001, the second AL government stepped down becoming the first elected government in Bangladesh to serve a full term in office. |
AL's second term in office had mixed achievments. Apart from sustaining economic stability, the government successfully settled Bangladesh's long standing dispute with India over sharing the water of river [[Ganga]] (also know as [[Padma]]) in late 1996, and signed a peace traty with tribal rebels in 1997. In 1998, Bangladesh faced one of the worst floods ever, and the government successfully handled the crisis. It also had significant achievments in containing inflation, and peacefully neutralising a long-running leftist insurgency in south-western districts dating back to the firsl AL government's time. However, rampant corruption allegations against party office bearers and ministers as well as detereorating law and order situation troubled the government. Its last months in office were marred by sporadic bombing by alleged Islamist millitants. Hasina herself escaped several attempts on her life, in one of which cases two [[anti-tank mine]]s were planted under her helipad in [[Gopalganj district]]. In July 2001, the second AL government stepped down becoming the first elected government in Bangladesh to serve a full term in office. |
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Revision as of 23:34, 19 December 2005
Awami League | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Sheikh Hasina |
| Founded | June 23, 1949 |
| Headquarters | Bongobondhu Avenue, Dhaka |
| Ideology | Secularism |
| International affiliation | Indian National Congress, Democratic Party (US), Labour Party (UK) |
| Colors | Green |
| Website | |
| Awami League | |
The Bangladesh Awami League (বাংলাদেশ আওয়ামী লীগ Bāŋlādeś Āowāmī Līg) or the Bangladesh People's League is the main opposition party in Bangladesh and the political catalyst for Bengali discontent and rebellion in 1971. In the 2001 general election it got 40% of the vote and 62 of 300 seats, making it the second-largest party behind the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Pre-Independence History
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The Awami League was founded on June 23 1949 as the "All Pakistan Awami Muslim League" by Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy [1]. The word "Muslim" was dropped in 1955. There was some initial confusion when the party was created, because two parties of the same name were created in Pakistan one in the East Wing, one in the West Wing. One was created by Maulana Abdul Hameed Khan Bhashani. One of its three initial assistant general secretaries was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The other was created in the Northwest Frontier Province in West Pakistan by Peer Manki Shareef. In February 1950, both were merged, creating the "All Pakistan Awami Muslim League" with Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy as its leader. In 1954 along with its allies the Awami League won the national election; Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy became the fifth Prime Minister of Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became a cabinet minister. On 26 July 1957 Maulana Abdul Hameed Khan defected, creating the 'National Awami Party'. As the years went by, the Awami League became associated with the often opressed Bangla-speaking majority in East Pakistan. In the elections of 1970 the Awami League won 160 of 162 East Pakistan seats in the National Assembly but none of West Pakistan's 138 seats. [2][3]. 160 being a healthy majority in the 313-seat Assembly, the Awami League was in a position to make a government without any coalition partner. This led directly to the events of the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Post Independence
The party is now headed by Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Awami League has been in government for two terms, eight years and a half, in the 18 democratic years among 34 years of Bangladesh's independence. It came to power after independence in 1972 under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. However, Mr. Rahman was unable to control widespread corruption of his associates, family members, and governments officials and failed to restore order in the society. As a result, the famine of 1974 was inevitable. Thousands and thousands of people died, and support for Mujib declined dramatically.
In January 1975, Mujib declared a state of emergency and later assumed the presidency after the Awami League-dominated parliament made the presidency an executive post. He introduced BAKSAL, a Mujib loyalist paramilitary, in order to reinforce his dictatorship. BAKSAL replaced the multi-party parliamentary democracy, banned independent newspapers, and demolished civil rights. Thousands of opposition political leaders were killed and abducted by the BAKSAL and most of them abductees never returned.
These negative developments led to a widespread dissatisfaction among the people and even inside the Army. In 15 August 1975 some junior members of the armed forces in Dhaka, led by Major Faruk Rahman, and Major Rashid killed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all his family members who lived with him. Within two months' time four of its top leaders, Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, captain M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman were killed inside the Dhaka Central Jail on November 3 1975. Only two daughters of Mujib, who were in West Germany as a part of a cultural exchange program, survived the killing. They later took political assylam in UK. The elder daughter, Sheikh Hasina, later moved to India and lived in self-exile. Her stays abroad helped her gain important political friends in the West and in India that proved to be a valuable asset for the party in future.
After 1975, the party remained split in rivalling factions, and fared poorly in the 1978 parliamentary elections held under a military government. In 1981, Sheikh Hasina returned after the largest party faction elcted her its president, took over party leadership, and sucessfully united the factions. However, because of being underage she could not take part in the 1981 presidential elections that followed the assasination of military dictator Ziaur Rahman. Even after declaring that her party is not going to participate in the general elections in 1986 under military dictatorship, she took AL to the polls to legitimise the rule of General Ershad.
When the first free and acceptable parliamentary polls since 1975 was held in in 1991, Awami League emerged as the largest opposition party in the parliament. It made major electoral gains in 1994 as its candidates won mayoral elections in the two largest cities of the country: capital Dhaka and commercial capital Chittagong. Demanding electoral reforms proposed by Jamaat leader Golam Azam, the party along with Jamaat resigned from the parliament in 1995, boycotted the February 1996 parliamentary polls, and subsequently won 146 out of 300 seats in June 1996 parliamentary polls. Supported by a few smaller parties, Awami League formed a "Government of National Unity," and elected a non-partisan person, retired Chief Justice, President Shahabuddin Ahmed to be the head of state.
AL's second term in office had mixed achievments. Apart from sustaining economic stability, the government successfully settled Bangladesh's long standing dispute with India over sharing the water of river Ganga (also know as Padma) in late 1996, and signed a peace traty with tribal rebels in 1997. In 1998, Bangladesh faced one of the worst floods ever, and the government successfully handled the crisis. It also had significant achievments in containing inflation, and peacefully neutralising a long-running leftist insurgency in south-western districts dating back to the firsl AL government's time. However, rampant corruption allegations against party office bearers and ministers as well as detereorating law and order situation troubled the government. Its last months in office were marred by sporadic bombing by alleged Islamist millitants. Hasina herself escaped several attempts on her life, in one of which cases two anti-tank mines were planted under her helipad in Gopalganj district. In July 2001, the second AL government stepped down becoming the first elected government in Bangladesh to serve a full term in office.
In October 2001 election, the party won 40% of the votes up from 36% of 1996 and 33% of 1991 but got only 62 out of 300 seats as a right wing nationalist-fundamentalist alliance won two-thirds majority in the parliament with 46% votes. Since then, Awami League has formed a left-leaning alliance of 14 parties with who it intends to form a elctoral coalition for participating in future parliamentary polls, expected in December 2006 or January 2007.
In its second term in opposition since 1991, the party faced assassination of important party personnel. Popular young leader Ahsanullah Master, a MP, was killed in 2004. This was followed by a grenade attack on Hasina in Dhaka, resulting in the death of 21 party supporters, including party women's secretary Ivy Rahman. Finally, party's electoral secretary, ex finance minister, and veteran diplomat Shah A.M.S. Kibria, also a MP, was killed in a grenade attack in Sylhet later that year.
In June 2005, the Awami League got a boost, when AL nominated incumbent mayor A.B.M. Mohiuddin Chowdhury won the important mayoral election in commercial capital Chittagong. This election was seen as a showdown between the opposition and the ruling party. However, the killing of party leaders continued. In December 2005, the AL supported Mayor of Sylhet narrowly escaped the third attempt on his life as a grenade thrown on him failed to explode.