Zahed rejects AL return, calls party a ‘mafia gang’

Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman rejected the possibility of the Awami League (AL) returning to Bangladeshi politics, amid ongoing discussions regarding the party’s reorganization.

At a press conference held at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he said, “AL is not a political party, it is a mafia gang and should not be allowed to do politics.”

July uprising activists have demanded that there is no scope for the “fascist” AL to engage in politics. Due to their demands, the interim government had imposed a ban on the activities of the AL. This ban remains in place even after the BNP took power on February.  

As a result, the AL was unable to participate in the 13th parliamentary election.

Moreover, a writ petition was filed in the High Court on Monday, challenging the validity of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ gazette notification that banned the Awami League’s activities.

Meanwhile, discussions regarding the reorganization of the party began following an interview with Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, who has taken refuge in India after being ousted in 2024.