Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, whose activities have been banned by the government, “will never again be allowed to engage in politics” in the country and that legal proceedings against the party as an organisation will begin soon.
Speaking at the ongoing July National Conference at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka, he said the Awami League had suffered its “political death” and claimed its “burial took place in Delhi.”
“The Awami League will no longer be able to do politics in Bangladesh. The trial of the party as an organisation will begin soon,” he said.
Recalling the July movement, Salahuddin said leaders spent “many sleepless nights” organising it in consultation with BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. “We successfully organised the movement under a non-political identity through discussions with Tarique Rahman. This is what happened behind the scenes,” he added.
He called on all political forces to remain united in rebuilding the country, saying the nation has high expectations for the future. Acknowledging economic challenges, he urged patience, adding that the government is implementing measures to address the situation.
The minister also alleged that fugitive Awami League leaders and activists abroad are conspiring against democratic political parties.
Warning against exploiting the spirit of the July movement, he said: “No one should do business with the spirit of July. Selling the spirit of the movement is not good, and those who do so will face the judgment of the people.”
The programme was organised by the central committees of “July 24 Martyred Families” and “Amra July Joddha (We Are July Fighters),” and attended by injured participants and families of those killed. The conference was chaired by State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain and attended by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as chief guest, with Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Sumon, Law Minister Asaduzzaman, and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni also present as special guests.