Tarique Rahman’s visit: Dispute within US Awami League over programmes

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. His party BNP has already announced a programme to welcome him. Meanwhile the Awami League whose activities are banned has also announced a protest programme. However, a dispute has emerged among the party leaders over the programme.

Tarique Rahman will arrive in New York on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. This will be his first visit to the United States as prime minister.

The US BNP and its affiliated organizations have organized a rally at John F. Kennedy Airport to welcome Tarique Rahman.

Meanwhile the US Awami League has announced a protest programme at the airport on the same day. The Awami League’s activities in Bangladesh have been banned since it was ousted from power following the student and public uprising in 2024.

The US Awami League has called for a protest at the airport with three demands. The demands are withdrawal of the ban on the Awami League’s activities. Cancellation of the cases and sentences against party President Sheikh Hasina. Release of detained political leaders.

US Awami League President Siddiqur Rahman told Agamir Somoy: “We will not organize any unpleasant programme including throwing eggs. However, we will demonstrate at the airport and in front of the United Nations demanding fulfillment of the three demands.”

“If Tarique Rahman wants to sit with us to discuss the situation in Bangladesh and the issue of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League then we will respond. If necessary, we are willing to sit for discussions after taking the opinion of our leader,” he said.

However, a section of the Awami League is rejecting Siddiqur Rahman’s proposal. They have been expressing their anger through posts on social media.

According to them they want to carry out an all-out programme to resist Tarique Rahman. They also want to resist the members of the prime minister’s entourage. They have also been vocal in criticizing President Siddiqur Rahman.

Hindol Kadir a former president of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League’s Gopalganj district unit is openly saying that Siddiqur Rahman is acting as an “agent” of the government.

A Jubo League activist living in Brooklyn told Agamir Somoy on condition of anonymity: “Whether on September 21 or 24 I will throw eggs at Tarique Rahman’s entourage no matter what. This is my vow.”

After arriving in New York on September 21 Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on September 24.

Amid the programmes to resist Tarique Rahman one section of the Awami League fears that some people may create unpleasant incidents to become “heroes” even without a party decision. Some may create disorder in front of the United Nations to make headlines.

Meanwhile the BNP is also preparing to prevent Awami League leaders and activists. They have been holding meetings and rallies every day in Jackson Heights which has a large Bangladeshi community in New York. They are also informing local law enforcement agencies about the Awami League’s “rowdy programmes.”

Both the BNP and the Awami League have obtained police permission to hold programmes in front of the United Nations on September 24. Many expatriate Bangladeshis fear that clashes may occur that day due to confrontation between the two sides.