Sheikh Hasina's Party Rocked By Extortion, Infiltration On Telegram
As August 5—the one-year anniversary of Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India to seek exile—approaches, sources in the former Bangladesh prime minister's party Awami League told News18 that the outfit is facing multiple challenges.
While the party is not surprised about being banned in Bangladesh, it has been taken aback by how money is being collected to allow its support base, including MPs and some former ministers, to speak on Telegram events; the mushrooming of multiple unauthorised Telegram groups, and worse, allowing Bangladesh's intel agencies access to these groups, letting them arrest and politically persecute Awami League activists.
Over the past year, Telegram has emerged as the primary organising platform for leaders and activists of Hasina's party. These groups—some with over 20,000-30,000 members—host daily marathon sessions, starting around 9pm and stretching late into the night. Participants include central leaders, Members of Parliament (both current and former), and district or upazila-level functionaries.
However, highly placed sources in the Awami League told News18 that even when Hasina appears in these Telegram meetings, money changes hands to determine who gets a chance to speak in her presence. The sources said they had zeroed in on Awami League's general secretary, Obaidul Quader, who has notably made Telegram his primary political stage, delivering fiery speeches with calls to 'surround Dhaka." Yet, his statements lack operational clarity, timelines, or practical steps, sources added.
Sources claim Quader now personally schedules his daily speaking slots across various Telegram groups—a move seen by some as a sign of political desperation rather than strategy.
A senior Awami League leader told News18 on condition of anonymity: 'Obaidul Quader is being rejected by the party cadres. He is keeping himself relevant by creating a host of Telegram groups which are not for party welfare but to run an economic scam. The top leadership has received information that he has extorted money from party's senior leaders, MPs, and former ministers in lieu of arranging virtual meetings with Hasina through Telegram."
WAS AWAMI LEAGUE COMPROMISED?
In what may be a bigger concern for not just for the Awami League's top leadership—including Sajeeb Wajed Joy, Hasan Mahmud, Mohammad A Arafat, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel—but Hasina herself, pro-Yunus elements and even Bangladeshi Intel agency personnel are believed to have infiltrated many of these groups.
While the party has been battling infiltration by activists from opposition parties such as Jamaat and BNP, the entry of intelligence operatives allegedly loyal to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is a first, say sources in Awami League. These infiltrators reportedly record conversations, which are then used to identify and arrest participants, sources told News18. Arrests based on group activity logs are already underway, insiders said.
When did the suspicion arise for the first time? 'Look, there have been uncharitable comments coming in occasionally. But even prominent groups like 'Dhanmondi 32", named after the iconic residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, have seen open dissatisfaction voiced against central leaders which we took note of. But when based on discussions and talks of putting up a 'resistance" our activists were picked up, we realised it was more than what meets the eye," said a senior party functionary.
So, how does Hasina want to address this problem? News18 has learnt that the Awami League leadership has been asked to hit the streets or resign. Hasina wants fresh leadership with fresh ideas to take to the streets and does not want cadre to be limited to keyboard warriors. News18 has learnt that all Telegram users of Awami League have been asked to employ VPNs amid reports of data leaks to black markets and the dark web as well.
'It has been a year now. Awami League wants to fight for the people. Hence, resistance committees in every district and metropolitan area, led by joint teams comprising divisional organisers, joint general secretaries, and central committee members, will be set up soon," said another party functionary.
With Bangladesh slated to hold elections next year and Awami League still banned, the party seems to be ready for the next leg—street confrontation with the Yunus regime.
About the Author
Anindya Banerjee
Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ...Read More
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First Published:
July 28, 2025, 15:15 IST
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