DHAKA, June 11, 2019 (BSS)- A month-long countrywide programme has been
taken to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Awami League
(AL), one of the oldest and traditional political parties of the sub-
continent.
AL general secretary and roads, transport and bridges minister Obaidul
Quader announced the programmes after the party’s secretariat meeting held at
Bangabandhu Avenue central office here today.
AL started its journey on June 23, 1949 when the young, secular and
progressive section of Muslim League formed Awami Muslim League at a
meeting held at the historic Rose Garden at KM Das Lane in Dhaka’s Tikatuli.
Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani was elected president and Shamsul Hoque
general secretary. The party unanimously elected the then young and promising
leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was in jail at that time, joint general
secretary.
The party was later renamed Awami League. In July 1953, the first National
Council of the party was held where Maulana Bhashani was re-elected president
and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the new general secretary. The party was later
transformed into the biggest political party to lead struggles for freedom
and the War of Liberation of Bangladesh and all democratic movements.
The anniversary programmes will begin on the day of founding of the party
on June 23 morning by hoisting national and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban
and party’s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city.
Obaidul Quader said the party will release balloons and pigeons at the
central office at 9am with playing of the national anthem. Wreaths will be
placed at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi Road No.32, he added.
A delegation of AL will place wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at
Tungipara in Gopalganj at 9.30am.
The general secretary said a discussion meeting will be held at Bangabandhu
International Conference Centre (BICC) on June 24 where elderly party leaders
from grassroots level will be given reception.
A cultural function will be held at the party’s Bangabandhu Avenue central
office on June 25. Cultural programmes will also be held at Hatirjheel and
Rabindra Sarabar in Dhanmondi.
Obaidul Quader said souvenir, poster and supplement will be published
highlighting the activities and achievements of the party.
Along with the central committee’s programme, party’s district, upazila and
city units will organise discussions, rallies, seminars and essay
competitions to celebrate the founding anniversary of the organisation.
AL joint secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, home affairs minister Asaduzzaman
Khan Kamal, AL organising secretaries AFM Baha Uddin Nasim, BM Mozammel Haq,
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nawfel, office secretary
Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, relief and social welfare affairs secretary Sujit Roy
Nandi, Dhaka South City AL president Abul Hasnat and General Secretary Shahe
Alam Murad were present, among others, at the meeting.