Anaet Shawon
The ruling Awami League will continue holding 'district councils' defying the political volatility especially the ongoing BNP-led non-stop blockade and frequent hartals for what the party high command said was to rejuvenate grassroots leaders and workers - and to stimulate their spirits.
Grassroots form the core strength of AL - like of any other party - but became somewhat demoralized by delay in holding councils in some districts, which has been overdue.
The ruling party has now announced a fresh deadline to hold councils by end of March (next month) in the unfinished districts councils by March, Deadline had earlier been shifted several times as they unable to complete councils across the country.
Meanwhile, the party has decided to deploy more leaders to complete all the councils of Dhaka division as it is the most important portion among all divisions.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday in a meeting at Ganabhaban directed the party central leaders to complete councils as soon as possible -- despite obstacles created by blockade and hartal enforced by BNP-led 20-party alliance seeking the government to step down in favour of an early election.
AL insiders say a council provides a big platform for district leaders and activists to ramp up activities with central party leaders attending programmes (relating to the council).
 One insider said, "As the councils of Rajshahi division have been completed, leaders appointed o help it would now will help the Dhaka division to complete all the council within the March."
Gaibandha is the only district in Rangpur division where holding of councils is still pending.
Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif along with other party leaders went to hold council of Satkhira district on Saturday. "We got huge response from the people of the districts and it worked well as people and AL activists took part." He said.
"The mobilization of people along with party workers would help placate the BNP-Jamaat subversive activities since January 6," Hanif told the Daily Observer.
AL Organising Secretary Abu Sayed Al Mahmud Shapon told this correspondent that "Council is a democratic process, it is not only used as a procedure to choose leaders but it is also a practice to mobilize people and facilitate interaction among themselves."