Awami League to take action against corrupt party leaders

The ruling Awami League has decided to take steps to root out corruption from the party ranks to clean up its image ahead of the national elections. The party has also decided to take action against several Awami League leaders, including three to five central committee leaders, who have been tarnishing the party image through their activities. Two presidium members and a joint general secretary of Awami League, on condition of anonymity, said: “Awami League has completed several development projects and the achievements of the government are huge. “However, the ruling party’s achievements are being questioned by civil society as well mass people due to corruption of a few leaders inside the party. These leaders are harming the party, and should be expelled,” they said. They also claimed that after the return of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from abroad, the Awami League will take organizational action against those corrupt leaders, and will call upon law enforcement agencies to take legal action against them. Insiders from the Awami League president’s office has added that the party high command has already started collecting information about leaders suspected of being involved in corruption, from organizational and intelligence sources. Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, several senior leaders of the ruling party said: “The party high command has taken the decision to take action against corrupt politicians in Awami League. The process to punish corrupt leaders will start after the prime minister returns from Italy.” Sheikh Hasina recently sounded a note of warning: “I just want to tell you one thing, those who indulge in corruption, terrorism and militancy will certainly have to face trial. This will only be possible when we are able to check and eradicate corruption, militancy and nepotism.” She was speaking at a reception organized by the Italy unit of Awami League at Parco Dei Principi Grand Hotel in Rome on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a joint general secretary of Awami League, asking not to be named, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Following Khaleda Zia’s conviction in a graft case, the Awami League has decided to prove its firm stance against corruption. “The party also aims to impress the voters ahead of the next general polls, by punishing corrupt leaders and activists in the ruling party.” On Wednesday, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said: “Hundreds of leaders and activists of Awami League are in jail for misdeeds. If anyone committed a crime during the tenure of Awami League government, then they will be brought to book. “Corrupt people will not get a free pass from the law during this government,” Quader said while addressing a programme in Dhamrai upazila of Dhaka.