Internal feud casts shadow over Chittagong Mahila AL council

Many Mahila Awami League (AL) leaders and activists alleged yesterday that they have not received councillor and delegate cards to join the council of the Chittagong unit of the Mahila AL. The council is scheduled to be held at a community centre of the port city today.
They alleged that Hasina Mohiuddin, wife of ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, does not cooperate with them. They also alleged that they have failed to get councillor cards from her even after repeated requests.
Marjina Akhter Lucy, the president of the Mahila AL of East Madarbari ward no. 30, said: “I have been repeatedly trying to get my councillor card and delegate cards for my activists. I have contacted Hasina Mohiuddin several times. But she did not give me the cards. She said she could give me only one card. But I need another 50 delegate cards for my activists.”
“How can I go there without my activists? Now I am really worried. Many of us are yet to get councillor or delegate cards,” Lucy alleged.
It has been alleged that Hasina Mohiuddin distributed councillor and delegate cards only among the leaders and activists of her own choice.
Rekha Alam, executive member of the city unit committee, also alleged: “I am yet to get an invitation or a card to join the council.”  Advocate Rehana Begum Ranu, who is a general secretary candidate and a former acting general secretary, said: “We are yet to get our councillor and delegate cards for our activists.”
“As our central leaders had directed, we contacted Hasina Mohiuddin. But she said we are entitled to only one card and that there will be no cards for our activists and leaders,” she added.
The much-awaited council of the Chittagong city unit of the Mahila AL will be held after 18 years. But, no enthusiasm, fervour or interest can be seen among leaders and activists because of internal feud.
Some leaders alleged that most of the party activists are unhappy with Hasina Mohiuddin. Ever since she joined politics, the Chittagong unit of Mahila AL has been divided. A large number of grassroots workers felt dejected due to Hasina Mohiuddin’s “rude” behaviour, they claimed.
They alleged that Hasina Mohiuddin wants to be president this time, too. Hence, she is not giving the councillor and delegate cards to those who are unhappy with her. Hasina Mohiuddin joined politics in 2006, when Nilufar, the city unit president, was ill. Nilufar died in 2008. Hasina Mohiuddin started presiding over party meetings as the acting president. Hasina Mohiuddin could not be contacted for her comments on these allegations. Her mobile phone was switched off.
Sofia Rahman, the vice-president of the Mahila AL central committee who is in charge of the Chittagong unit, yesterday told The Independent: “I have received some complaints. I have already spoken to the leaders who are organising the council. They assured me that they would distribute the councillor and delegate cards tomorrow morning.”

Internal feud casts shadow over Chittagong Mahila AL council

Many Mahila Awami League (AL) leaders and activists alleged yesterday that they have not received councillor and delegate cards to join the council of the Chittagong unit of the Mahila AL. The council is scheduled to be held at a community centre of the port city today. They alleged that Hasina Mohiuddin, wife of ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, does not cooperate with them. They also alleged that they have failed to get councillor cards from her even after repeated requests. Marjina Akhter Lucy, the president of the Mahila AL of East Madarbari ward no. 30, said: I have been repeatedly trying to get my councillor card and delegate cards for my activists. I have contacted Hasina Mohiuddin several times. But she did not give me the cards. She said she could give me only one card. But I need another 50 delegate cards for my activists. How can I go there without my activists? Now I am really worried. Many of us are yet to get councillor or delegate cards, Lucy alleged. It has been alleged that Hasina Mohiuddin distributed councillor and delegate cards only among the leaders and activists of her own choice. Rekha Alam, executive member of the city unit committee, also alleged: I am yet to get an invitation or a card to join the council. Advocate Rehana Begum Ranu, who is a general secretary candidate and a former acting general secretary, said: We are yet to get our councillor and delegate cards for our activists. As our central leaders had directed, we contacted Hasina Mohiuddin. But she said we are entitled to only one card and that there will be no cards for our activists and leaders, she added. The much-awaited council of the Chittagong city unit of the Mahila AL will be held after 18 years. But, no enthusiasm, fervour or interest can be seen among leaders and activists because of internal feud. Some leaders alleged that most of the party activists are unhappy with Hasina Mohiuddin. Ever since she joined politics, the Chittagong unit of Mahila AL has been divided. A large number of grassroots workers felt dejected due to Hasina Mohiuddins rude behaviour, they claimed. They alleged that Hasina Mohiuddin wants to be president this time, too. Hence, she is not giving the councillor and delegate cards to those who are unhappy with her. Hasina Mohiuddin joined politics in 2006, when Nilufar, the city unit president, was ill. Nilufar died in 2008. Hasina Mohiuddin started presiding over party meetings as the acting president. Hasina Mohiuddin could not be contacted for her comments on these allegations. Her mobile phone was switched off. Sofia Rahman, the vice-president of the Mahila AL central committee who is in charge of the Chittagong unit, yesterday told The Independent: I have received some complaints. I have already spoken to the leaders who are organising the council. They assured me that they would distribute the councillor and delegate cards tomorrow morning.