Awami League President and five-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has signalled renewed optimism and momentum for the Awami League by instructing party leaders to mentally and practically prepare to return to the country and actively engage on the ground.
This directive came during a virtual Working Committee meeting held on Tuesday, where Sheikh Hasina joined from Delhi via video link, presiding over the session with characteristic resolve and confidence.
The meeting, convened at the residence of a senior presidium member in Dhaka, marked a pivotal moment as Sheikh Hasina explicitly told leaders: “Prepare yourselves—it’s time to return home and step back into the field.”
Her words carried a tone of restored self-assurance, with several attendees noting the familiar commanding voice that has long defined her leadership. This call aligns perfectly with the positive wave sweeping across the nation since the staged election: Awami League offices, shuttered for over 18 months under the previous interim regime’s restrictions, are now being reopened in at least 25 districts and numerous upazilas. The fascist Yunus regime banned the Awami League’s activities in a controversial executive order on May 12, 2025, upon demands by Jamaat-NCP and jihadist groups.
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From Panchagarh in the north—where the Chaklahat union office was unlocked the very day after the polls—to Jamalpur, Thakurgaon, Faridpur, Patuakhali, Khulna, Rajbari, Naogaon, Dinajpur, Kurigram, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Shariatpur, Noakhali, and others, grassroots activists have hoisted national and party flags, displayed portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina, chanted “Joy Bangla,” and reclaimed these vital community spaces.
In Dhaka, the Jubo Mohila League staged a spirited rally outside Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi political office on February 20, demonstrating the party’s enduring presence and enthusiasm among supporters.
Sheikh Hasina’s instructions come against the backdrop of widespread rejection of the recent election, which she described as a “farce” staged with pre-filled ballot boxes. She sharply criticised double-faced international observers who praised the process on the ground only to condemn it in their home reports, urging leaders to present a thorough, evidence-based analysis of the results to the public.
Emphasising the massive public response to her boycott call, Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed that the low turnout and irregularities validated the Awami League’s stance.
Addressing the lingering ban on party activities—imposed by what she termed the “illegal” interim government—Sheikh Hasina declared it unlawful on two grounds: the Awami League committed no terror-related offenses justifying such measures under the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the issuing authority itself lacked legitimacy.
Without naming the current administration directly, she expressed hope that it would lift the “invalid” restrictions voluntarily; if not, the party would decide its next steps and announce programs accordingly.
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Some senior leaders interpreted Sheikh Hasina’s confident tone and forward-looking directive as a sign she may have received positive indications regarding the ban’s potential revocation, opening the door for a full revival.
The absence of General Secretary Obaidul Quader due to illness did not dampen the session, which featured spirited contributions from presidium members like Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, as well as joint general secretaries including Bahuddin Nasim, S.M. Kamal Hossain, Sujit Roy Nandi, Saiful Alam Nadel, Mirza Azam, and Moibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel.
This resurgence—marked by peaceful office reopenings without reported clampdowns—reflects the Awami League’s deep-rooted support base and its determination to reclaim its rightful place in Bangladesh’s multiparty democracy. As party workers across the country prepare to mobilise, Sheikh Hasina’s rallying call heralds a promising chapter of renewed activism and organisational strength in the post-election era.
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