Leadership:Who stands where? Part II A PROBE report Awami League Amir Hossain Amu Awami League presidium member, influential leader and former Food Minister, Amir Hossain Amu has been target of Sheikh Hasina's ire due to his role as reformists after 1/11. As a result, though he was elected MP in the last election, he was not made a minister. However, Amir Hossain Amu still retains considerable hold over a large section of the party's leaders and workers countrywide. He may be a backbencher in the presidium at present, but this is likely to change in time. He is likely to back a strong comeback. Present status: ACTIVE Tofail Ahmed He may have been a reformist, but Sheikh Hasina is using former Industries Minister Tofail Ahmed, albeit guardedly. He won a seat as MP, but not being in the leader's good books, was not given a place in the cabinet. He is now striving hard to win back Hasina's favour. Present status: STAGING A COMEBACK Suranjit Sengupta This veteran parliamentarian who used to be Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Parliamentary Affairs and Law Advisor in the last Awami League government, was the most vocal reformist after 1/11. That is why he has been criticized by a large section of the party and Hasina is none too pleased with him either. Though he was elected MP in the last election, he was not made minister. He is still sometimes critical about the party. Being a member of the minority community, he may retain hold over his area's vote bank, but his importance and position in the party is bound to falter. Present status: ACTIVE. He is needed in parliament. Abdur Razzak Former Water Resources Minister Abdur Razzak is known to be one of the foremost reformists in the party and so is not in Sheikh Hasina's good books. So though he became MP in the December 2009 election, he is not a minister. He doesn't have a strong position in the presidium. Present status: OBLIVION KM Jahangir Thrice elected MP, former State Minister for Textiles KM Jahangir is another reformist in Awami League. He was not given nomination in the last election. He was extremely unhappy over this, but set himself to appease the leader and remains active in party politics. Present status: STAGING A COMEBACK Maj. (retd) Rafiqul Islam Known as Mr. Clean, Maj. (retd) Rafiqul Islam was Home Minister during Awami League's last government, but lost his position in cabinet due to failure to perform. He became MP in the last election, but is of little importance to the party. It is not likely that he will clinch any important position in the party in the coming days and is nowhere near the front line. After the present government completes its five-year stint at the helm, it is not likely that Maj. Rafiq will be able to rebuild his political career. Present status: INACTIVE Salman F Rahman Salman F Rahman, owner of Beximco, one of the largest industrial groups of the country, was a friend of Sheikh Kamal. He is known to be the lobbyist within the party for a certain country. That is why, no matter what irregularities may have been revealed about his businesses, he remains close to Sheikh Hasina. He was arrested on corruption charges after 1/11 during the rule of Fakhruddin Ahmed's caretaker government and the various businesses of Beximco were on the verge of closure. But he's back in the limelight once again and Beximco too has been given a fresh lease of life. He may not be a politician per se, but holds a lot of weight with the party President. Present status: ACTIVE Akhteruzzaman Dynamic student leader of JSD and former VP of DUCSU, Akhteruzzaman became a 'junior' when he joined Awami League. He was elected MP from Gazipur in 1996, but did not put on a good performance. During the alliance rule, he was totally inactive in politics and even now he is hardly seen or heard. He is doesn't hold much importance to the party high command either. Present status: INACTIVE Barrister Amirul Islam Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has appointed the young Barrister Amirul Islam as his Political Secretary. He was elected as MP from Kushtia in 1973. He has considerable influence among lawyers of the Awami League camp. He has a strong reputation in the legal profession, but never quite gained that strength in politics. He has never been quite active in the political arena. He sought nomination in the last election, but in vain. He no longer holds importance in Awami League politics. Present status: EXHAUSTED. He remains strong in his legal profession. Mayor Mohiuddin Ahmed Mohiuddin Ahmed has been elected Mayor of Chittagong several times and considers himself the uncrowned king of Present status: ACTIVE. Much depends on his candidacy for Chittagong Mayor which is under active consideration. He plays a role in Mustafa Mohsin Montu Formerly a daring and dynamic Jubo League leader, Mustafa Mohsin Montu followed in Dr. Kamal's footsteps to join Gono Forum.. Gono Forum, however, has become inactive in politics and frustrated Montu has also become virtually inactive. So though he has returned to Awami League, politics prospects for him are bleak. Present status: Dying horse. He is also mentally ill. Dr. Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin This tried and tested leader of the party was elected MP for the first time, from the Lalbagh in the capital city. He is in Hasina's good books. He may even be given a place in the cabinet in the future. Present status: ACTIVE BNP Chowdhury Tanveer Ahmed Siddiqui Founder member of BNP as well as its standing member, former minister Tanveer Siddiqui has always been loyal to Begum Khaleda Zia. During President Zia's rule he was elected MP from Gazipur, but later he failed three elections consecutively. The final nail to the coffin of Siddiqui's political career was his son's vile accusations against Khaleda Zia made in presence of Tanveer Siddiqui. Tanveer Siddiqui was expelled from the party. Present status: EXHAUSTED Shamsul Islam Shamsul Islam is a politician sans controversy. Former Industries Minister and former Information Minister, Shamsul Islam is a member of BNP's standing committee. He has been faltering in his political prominence due to his advanced years. He is still active, but at the end of the next five years it is not likely that his age will permit him to continue at this pace. His political barometer at a national level as well as in his own area is likely to plummet. Present status: EXHAUSTED. In his stead, his son will rise in politics. Mosaddek Ali Falu From Khaleda Zia's political secretary and then becoming MP from a seat in Present status: MAY STAGE A COMEBACK. He is a bright star for factional politics. Amanullah Aman This former DUCSU VP was elected MP thrice consecutively (1991-2001). He was State Minister for Health in the alliance government. He went to jail during the caretaker government on corruption charges. He was defeated in the 2009 election. He is presently active in politics. The government may target him on corruption grounds. His image may have been dealt a blow, but in all probability he may be back in the political fray. Present status: ACTIVE Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed Former Minister of the alliance government, Major Hafizuddin was seen as a rising leader in BNP. After 1/11, he joined Mannan Bhuiyan's reformist camp and became controversial by taking up the position of Secretary General of the rebel faction. His image was dealt a severe blow, even in his own constituency. Once Khaleda Zia was released, he acknowledged her leadership once again. But the party supporters did not forget and he lost in the last election. He is presently keeping away from politics and it will be hard for him to return to his former standing in the party. Present status: ON THE BACK BURNER. May join up with Mannan Bhuiyan in forming new party. Jamiruddin Sircar Former Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar is a true blue politician. He is still popular and powerful in his area. But the present government may make things difficult for him. However, this may serve to increase his popularity. He has been elected MP from Bogra in the by-election. He is important in BNP, but this may not last till the end of this government's five year term. Present status: BACKBENCH IN POLITICS. He has cases against him which may impede his progress. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Present status: ACTIVE. He is a rising star in BNP. Altaf Chowdhury While Home Minister of the alliance government, former Air Force Chief Altaf Chowdhury became subject to censure for his controversial statements. His poor performance was criticized within the government too. He was dropped from the cabinet. While minister, he got involved in corruption and once he lost his cabinet position, he became inactive in politics. His image was tarnished in his own area too. He remains away from politics. Present status: EXHAUSTED AKM Musharraf Hossain This former bureaucrat was also known as the husband of Ershad's lady friend Zeenat Musharraf. He was elected BNP MP twice. He was State Minister for Energy, but lost his position in cabinet for taking bribes from a foreign oil company. He became inactive in the party after that. Present status: EXHAUSTED. However, as a technocrat, he may remain in the scene. Maj. (retd.) Akhteruzzaman He was elected MP twice from Kishoreganj. This talkative politician became the centre of attention by speaking out loud against his own party. He has always been a thorn in BNP's flesh. He contested in the last election, but lost. He does not have a good standing with the party leaders and workers. He holds no importance in future politics. Present status: EXHAUSTED. But will remain in the media. Ehsanul Huq Milon He was elected BNP MP twice, in 1996 and 2006, from Chandpur. He played a very positive role as State Minister for Education during the alliance government's rule, doing away with rampant cheating during exams. But he was also accused of misusing his power. He fell rather silent after 1/11. After losing in the last election, he became further inactive in politics. He may be target of his rival MP's ire. This young leader has Khaleda Zia's blessings and may make a comeback. Present status: INACTIVE at present. Might make a comeback. Haris Chowdhury He may have been neither an MP for a veteran politician, but Haris Chowdhury wielded untold power within BNP. He was Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Political Secretary. He made money through all means, legal and otherwise. After 1/11 he fled from the country and the Anti-Corruption Commission filed a case against him in his absence. He is back, but no longer has his old clout. He is a non-entity even in BNP. Present status: EXHAUSTED LDP Col. Oli Ahmed entered politics through BNP. He was elected MP four times from the Chittagong-13 seat and once from Present status: STAGE A COMEBACK. He has good relations with Hasina. His anti-Ershad stance impeded his politics. He might join the cabinet. Alamgir Kabir Former left leader Alamgir Kabir was at one time the target of much controversy due to his involvement in underground brutal politics in Present status: EXHAUSTED Bikalpadhara Maj. (retd) Abdul Mannan Having been elected twice from Present status: EXHAUSTED Civil Society Barrister RokonUddin Mahmud This lawyer of the Awami League ilk was titled to be a candidate in the much-talked-about January 22 (2007) election from Dhanmandi.. He was in the media limelight at the time. But after 1/11, he suddenly vanished from the spotlight and hasn't even spoken in favour of Awami League since then. He is now silently concentrating on his professional work. Present status: LICKING HIS WOUNDS. He is in the process of healing after the election and it will take some time to recover his old joie d vivre. Kazi Faruk Ahmed Kazi Faruk Ahmed, head of the NGO Proshika, has always been controversial. He was very much involved in the 'April 30' scam of Awami League during the alliance rule. In violation of the rules, he used his NGO for political purposes. He has even been accused of misappropriating Proshika money. The Anti-Corruption Commission filed a case against him after 1/11. He then left Awami League politics to form a party of his own and was a candidate in the last election. He used Proshika workers here too. He faced defeat in the election and his party activities ground to a halt. He power also diminished. He still faces charges. In the NGO sector he went from hero to zero. Present status: EXHAUSTED Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed Begum Khaleda Zia, as prime Minister of the alliance government, recalled Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed from abroad to make him Governor of Bangladesh Bank. It is alleged that he resorted to irregularities while in that post, unlawfully providing a banker relation with favours. He was later made head of PKSF. Then 1/11 changed his fate and he became Chief Advisor of the caretaker government.. In this position he made all sorts of pledges and commitments to the people, but his government has been more of a failure than a success. He even deviated into extra-constitutional actions for which he has been strongly criticized. And rather shockingly, he simply took off for Present status: OBLIVION Abdul Awal Mintoo It is hard to discern the party leanings of Abdul Awal Mintoo, one of the country's topmost businessmen and former President of FBCCI. It has been heard that he aspires to be Mayor of Dhaka City. He has at times vied for candidacy from BNP and at times from Awami League. It is alleged he provided Awami League with funds and other assistance for the 'April 30' scam, aiming at the downfall of the BNP-led alliance government. He was arrested and sent to jail after 1/11. He may contest for the office of Dhaka Mayor, though it is not certain which party he will stand from. The business circles also have their reservations about him. There is a large billboard at Mohakhali where he models for an advertisement of the daily Amar Desh. It is to be seen whether the people of Present status: ACTIVE Tapan Chowdhury Entrepreneur of the Square Group of Industries, Tapan Chowdhury was an Advisor of the Fakhruddin caretaker government. But his performance was weak and he had to step down from office. He is alleged to have misused his power as advisor to stop the raw material import of a certain pharmaceutical company for his own company's benefit. His failure in the caretaker government has tarnished his image somewhat. No one is likely to select him for such an important government position in future. Present status: ON THE BACK BURNER. It's back to business as usual and he is presently 'hosting' Dr. Wazed, husband of Sheikh Hasina, at http://www.probenewsmagazine.com/index.php?index=2&contentId=5099 |
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