Shawdesh Desk:

Ruling Awami League has been conducting several surveys to find out its best candidates to field for the upcoming general election by axing the unpopular lawmakers.

Insiders said the recent nomination in city polls has become an example as the party president has nominated two new faces to contest the upcoming city corporation polls to Gazipur and Barishal by dropping the incumbent mayors.

Barishal mayor Sadik Abdullah, also a nephew of Sheikh Hasina, and Gazipur mayor Zahangir Alam were shown the door for earning bad name for the party, they said.

Insiders said through the city polls nomination, the party president basically gave a message that no one’s ticket is yet to be ensured.

Those who work for the people, have popularity and acceptance in the party and among the people in their respective areas may get the ticket to contest the upcoming general elections with boat symbol, they said.

Addressing a joint meeting of the party, Sheikh Hasina last week asked her loyal to stop lashing tongues against each other and grouping in the grassroots.

“I will give the nomination. So, stop lashing tongues against each other.Work in your areas and project the success stories of the government,” she said.

AL leaders said some incumbent ministers and lawmakers who have earned bad name for the party through misdeeds and other ways may not be given the ticket this time.

“Party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conducting several surveys to get the real picture. The incumbent lawmakers who have become unpopular and earned bad name for the party may be dropped,” said a senior leader wishing not to be named.

Insiders said dozens of lawmakers have been involved in various misdeeds. They have also created a distance among the leaders and dedicated activists in the grassroots through nepotism.

“The party has been looking those candidates who are eligible, dedicated, honest and well-accepted among the people,” said the leader.

Insiders said as the election is drawing nearer, the AL president has been carrying out the surveys by some noted local and foreign organisations.

Party president has already said nominations will be given based on the surveys, they said.

Mentioning the next elections a challenging one, Sheikh Hasina has already directed her party leaders to visit their respective constituencies on regular basis and woo the voters to overcome the poll hurdles with their own capacity. “The activities of each incumbent lawmaker are being monitored. This time, nomination will not be given by judging only the face rather those who are eligible and popular in their areas will be given the ticket,” she said recently.

The next general election is to be held by January next year.

The Election Commission has been urging all the political parties to participate in the polls. It also says it will put the best effort to hold the election in a free, fair and credible manner.

Despite the EC’s assurance, some opposition parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), are hell-bent on boycotting any polls under the incumbent EC and the government.

They are asking the government to reinstall the scrapped caretaker government provision for credible oversight of the elections.