Steps soon to ban Awami League, Adviser Asif tells BSS

The current government will soon take steps to ban Awami League (AL) as a political party, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has said.

"It is very positive that political parties have reached a consensus on banning the AL," he said in an interview with BSS, marking the completion of six months of the current interim government.

Asif Mahmud, who also serves as the youth and sports adviser, further noted that it will be easier for the government to implement any decision if there is such a consensus among the political parties.

When asked about any immediate action to ban the AL, Asif said the government's main goal is to prioritise the aspirations of the people. He also praised the BNP's demand for the AL's ban.

In the interview published today (7 February), the adviser mentioned there are four laws under which the government can take action against any party through an executive order.

However, the government is yet to decide which legal framework it will follow on this matter, he added.

He said if the AL's involvement in the July-August massacre is proven in court, the government could take steps to ban the party and revoke its registration. 

"The government will follow all legal procedures and make a final decision," he told BSS.

Since Sheikh Hasina's ouster on 5 August, there have been ongoing debates about the future of the AL. 

On 25 January, Mahfuz Alam, adviser to the interim government, said the AL will not be allowed to participate in future elections. "The elections will be contested among pro-Bangladesh groups only."

Meanwhile, the BNP has been conveying mixed messages over the issue. BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on 2 November that his party does not support banning any political group. 

However, on 1 December, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said his party does not oppose the government's right to decide on banning the AL. 

Then on 5 February, BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed said the AL could no longer engage in politics under its current name in Bangladesh. 

New party

Regarding the formation of a new political party, Adviser Asif in the interview said past movements lost their gains because organisers played no role in subsequent state affairs. 

He pointed out that even after the 1990s movement, democratic rights were not fully established, which led to the idea of forming a new party. 

He noted that many leaders from the July uprising, who have not joined any political party since 5 August, now wish to participate in state-building. 

"A political party is necessary to consolidate the forces of the July movement. While a decision to form the party has been made, its name is yet to be finalized," Asif said, adding that the party could be launched by the second week of February.

Asked about government representation in the new party, Asif stated that any student representative currently in government would need to resign before joining the party to maintain fairness in elections. 

Regarding his personal involvement in the new party, Asif told BSS: "I haven't decided yet; I'm still reviewing some issues, and the decision will be announced later."

Reforms, elections

When asked about the government's focus on reforms before elections and political parties calling for immediate elections, Asif told BSS: "They aren't contradictory. The resolution depends on our goodwill." 

He said a fair election environment can only be achieved by implementing the six reform commission reports through consultation with stakeholders. 

Asif added, "Without reforms, it will be difficult for any party to govern after elections. That's why the six reform commissions are prioritized. Some reforms are constitutional, while others serve the public interest."

He concluded, "A fair election environment can only be ensured through meaningful reforms, with the election field shaped by reform efforts and the visible trial of the AL."