A month-long countrywide programme has been taken to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Awami League (AL), one of the oldest and traditional political parties of the sub-continent.
AL General Secretary and Roads, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader announced the programmes after the party’s secretariat meeting held at Bangabandhu Avenue central office here on Tuesday. AL started its journey on June 23, 1949 when the young, secular and progressive section of Muslim League formed Awami Muslim League at a meeting held at the historic Rose Garden at KM Das Lane in Dhaka’s Tikatuli. Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani was elected President and Shamsul Hoque General Secretary. The party unanimously elected the then young and promising leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was in jail at that time, Joint General Secretary.
The party was later renamed Awami League. In July 1953, the first National Council of the party was held where Maulana Bhashani was re-elected President and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the new General Secretary. The party was later transformed into the biggest political party to lead struggles for freedom and the War of Liberation of Bangladesh and all democratic movements. The anniversary programmes will begin on the day of founding of the party on June 23 morning by hoisting national and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban and party’s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city. Obaidul Quader said the party will release balloons and pigeons at the central office at 9am with playing of the national anthem.
