AL sets up ‘party office’ in Kolkata, continues operations from India: BBC Bangla

Since August 2024, Awami League has been conducting party activities from a discreet office in a busy commercial complex in suburban Kolkata. The move comes after party chairperson Sheikh Hasina and several senior leaders left Bangladesh amid political turmoil last year.

The office, located on the 8th floor of an unassuming building behind a bustling shopping area, is deliberately low-profile. It bears no signboard or portraits of party icons such as Sheikh Hasina or Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “We didn’t want this room to be publicly identified as a party office,” said a senior Awami League leader. The modest 500–600 square-foot space serves mainly for meetings of 30 to 35 attendees, while larger gatherings take place in rented banquet halls.

Who’s Operating from Kolkata?
Following Sheikh Hasina’s departure from Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, many top and mid-level Awami League leaders, including former ministers and MPs, relocated to Kolkata and its suburbs. Estimates suggest around 70 current MPs, district presidents, secretaries, and nearly 200 senior party figures now live in the area. Many have brought families, while others share flats.

“The office doesn’t have fixed hours. Leaders come when needed,” an official said. Most senior leadership remains connected through virtual meetings and online groups, bridging the physical distance with grassroots activists back home.

Political Direction from Abroad
Sheikh Hasina, now near Delhi, continues to guide the party, having recently convened a rare face-to-face meeting with top leaders in July. Virtual platforms remain the main channels for coordination, with live broadcasts and group chats facilitating communication.

Former MP Pankaj Debnath praised technology’s role, saying, “We regularly communicate virtually with workers in remote areas to understand their views and give directions.”

Criticism and Historical Context
The presence of party leaders in India has drawn criticism on social media, questioning why they operate abroad while many activists face repression in Bangladesh.

Debnath defended the strategy, referencing history: “During the 1971 war, the leadership worked from exile. Similar examples exist worldwide where parties operated abroad, gained strength, and returned to power.”

Political Stance and Challenges
The Awami League continues to criticize Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, accusing it of failing on economic and judicial fronts. Party General Secretary Obaidul Quader said public faith in the government is waning.

Meanwhile, Saddam Hossain, president of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and also based in India, highlighted the plight of students loyal to the party who face restrictions on attending campus or sitting exams.

Funding and Lifestyle Adjustments
Funding for the party’s operations and personal expenses comes from supporters in Bangladesh and abroad. Quader acknowledged financial support has been crucial amid organizational challenges.

Leaders in Kolkata have adjusted to more modest living standards, relying on public transportation and shared housing to manage costs. “We live as economically as possible with our savings,” said Debnath.

Looking Ahead
When asked about their return to Bangladesh, Quader said, “Political struggles have no fixed timetable. We have no choice but to continue the fight.”