Awami League's joint general secretary and social welfare minister urged the party leaders and workers to be united. Dipu Moni said that he will give his life for the leader, but he will not accept the decision of the party under the leadership of the leader, he will act on his own - this should not happen.
He said these things at a discussion meeting titled 'Demand for the release of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina, who was imprisoned during 1/11', at the National Press Club's Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall on Sunday.
Dr. Dipu Moni said, 'We will give our lives for the leader. But the leader does not want to let anyone know. The decision that the leader makes, that decision is accepted or not? Be it at the center, at the grassroots, wherever. If all of us are like that the palm tree is mine, then it won't happen. But then there is no love for the leader.'
Awami League is a democratic party, its decision making process is also democratic. The leader is not imposing anything on anyone. A decision is reached by discussing everyone's decision. We may have opinions before making the main decision. But when a decision is made, it is a party decision. Either I accept that decision, or I don't make the party. You have that freedom. But you will make the party, you will give your life for the leader, but you will not accept the decision of the party under the leadership of the leader, then you will act as yourself, this should not happen.'
Dr. Dipu Moni said, 'All the organizations we have including Chhatra League, Jubo League, Krishak League, as a whole, we have a larger Awami family - it is important to have a strong commitment and discipline towards our unity, our ideals. Because, all our achievements, all the achievements of Bangladesh - everything has come through Awami League. And the evil forces to thwart that achievement, they are active today as they were during Bangabandhu's time. Therefore, if we cannot maintain our unity, firmness of determination, party loyalty, then that evil will strike again. Therefore, as the largest political party in the country, it is our responsibility to ensure that the evil forces never strike. May we never back down in fulfilling that responsibility. I believe that should be our commitment.'
The social welfare minister also said that Sheikh Hasina was arrested on July 16, 2007. Having completely failed to break the Awami League, the army-backed caretaker government was forced to release Sheikh Hasina on June 11, 2008 under public pressure. 2.5 million signatures in just 15 days was the biggest role at that time. Another role played by our extended meetings. Where leaders from all over the country came and announced 'No Sheikh Hasina, No Election'.
Awami League National Committee member Advocate Balram Poddar and others were also present at the meeting under the chairmanship of MA Karim, chief advisor of weekly Ganabangla and former student leader Chandan Kumar Ghosh.
