Gap Between Central Leadership and Grassroots: Awami League’s Young Activists Demand Change

By Ajay Bangali

Despite the Awami League’s grassroots leaders demonstrating readiness for action through marches and gatherings following the military-backed ouster of the party, Bangladesh’s historic political party is failing to mobilize an effective street-level movement due to the central leadership’s reluctance and organizational shortcomings.

Grassroots activists claim that the party, now 76 years old, faces one of the most complex and severe crises in its political history, yet lacks strategic leadership capable of strengthening movements at this critical moment. While the Awami League remains popular among 30–45 percent of the population in various surveys, administrative pressure has constrained it but political isolation has not yet been achieved.

Failure to Organize Strong Protests Against Sheikh Hasina’s Verdict

Despite Sheikh Hasina’s verdict being “pre-determined” on September 17, the Awami League could not mount a strong protest. Grassroots leaders and young activists argue that the main reason is the absence of skilled leaders able to command the streets.

Although rank-and-file members joined marches, a “gap in coordination” between the central leadership and grassroots prevented the party from organizing larger rallies.

According to reliable party sources, following the pre-determined verdict, the central Awami League held a meeting from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM instead of organizing protest activities. Present at the meeting were presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary A F M Bahauddin Nasim, Organizational Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, S M Kamal, Mirza Azam, and several other central leaders. The meeting concluded without any decision.

Prior to the meeting, Organizational Secretary S M Kamal Hossain and Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanak made a brief appearance on social media “for appearances’ sake.”

After the successful November 13 program, coordination was lacking with grassroots members ahead of the November 17 scheduled program, which led to weak reactions against Sheikh Hasina’s verdict, according to grassroots activists. Frustration among both workers and lawmakers prompted the central committee to call another meeting on September 24.

During this meeting, activities were scheduled for November 25–30. However, no guidance or coordination was provided to the grassroots leaders present in the districts. Although the idea of creating a 25–30 member liaison team for responsibilities was discussed, the meeting ended without any such directive.

Multiple sources indicate that although Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Bahauddin Nasim announced programs, they do not wish to take responsibility for coordinating with grassroots members. Mirza Azam, the organizational secretary for Dhaka Division, reportedly does not communicate with party members at any level.

Jewel Rana, general secretary of a union within the volunteer wing, said: “We have not seen a central leader who can take us to the streets and organize a large march strategically.”

Leaders have also accused Mirza Azam of failing to assess how to organize Dhaka for stronger mobilization. Sujit Roy Nandi, responsible for Rangpur, reportedly ignores follow-up when grassroots members call for guidance, saying only “I’ll see, okay” without taking further action.

There is a significant gap between S M Kamal and the party’s young leaders in Rajshahi. Investigations by BD Digest reveal that this lack of coordination extends beyond these three leaders to other organizational secretaries as well.

Although Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif holds a policy-making role, he has failed to engage with grassroots leadership to accelerate movements, except for a few statements after August 5 of last year.

Coordination Has Been Lacking From the Start

Just 10 days after the government’s fall, on August 15 last year, Awami League supporters went to Dhanmondi 32 to pay respects on National Mourning Day. That day, supporter Momin Patowary died in a student mob attack.

Since then, party activists and members of allied organizations have continued marches and protests across the country, bravely facing threats, attacks, and lawsuits. Despite hundreds of thousands of workers being imprisoned and over 10 million cases filed against supporters, the party’s activities have not stopped.

Leaders claim that on November 10 last year, during Shahid Noor Hossain Day, the Awami League had at least 20,000 workers in Gulistan and Paltan areas, but due to the absence of organized leadership, the party could not stage a large rally. Similar incidents have occurred multiple times.

Grassroots leaders remain optimistic that with the right leadership and strategic planning, the Awami League can reclaim the streets without much difficulty.

Historically, this is not the first time the party has faced such crises. During Pakistan’s rule, it was first banned by Ayub Khan in 1958 and again on March 26, 1971, when Bangabandhu declared Bangladesh’s independence. After the August 15, 1975 assassination of Bangabandhu and the four national leaders, the party again fell into crisis. In 1982, when dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad seized power, the party faced another de facto ban. Yet, each time, the party of the Bengali liberation movement returned with formidable strength.

This time, however, grassroots and young leaders stress that new strategies and leadership are essential to reclaim the streets. Discussions are ongoing on social media about forming district-based teams of active leaders and promoting young activists.

They allege that senior leaders undervalue young members and create obstacles instead of allowing them to take the lead. BD Digest also reached out to several responsible lawyers who provide free legal support to activists; they report that no leaders contact them, let alone coordinate assistance.