Home
+
Published : 30 Jul 2025, 03:08 AM
Leaders of the Awami League (AL) have been implicated in a fresh round of extortion allegations, this time through Telegram, as reported by Indian broadcaster News18, citing multiple party insiders.
In its report published on Monday, News18 said some Telegram groups created by the AL activists have allegedly allowed members of government intelligence agencies to infiltrate discussions, raising security and political risks for participants.
Though party members were unsurprised by their political sidelining, many were reportedly shocked at how widespread the extortion had become on Telegram, it added.
According to the report, former MPs and ministers have been demanding large sums to allow events to be hosted on the app, while unauthorised groups are being created frequently.
The leaders reportedly alleged that these Telegram groups have allowed Bangladesh’s intelligence agencies to monitor conversations, leading to arrests and harassment of the AL activists.
Over the past year, the platform has become a hub for gathering disgruntled party members following the AL’s removal from power, the report said.
News18 reports that some groups now host between 20,000 and 30,000 members, with nightly meetings beginning around 9pm and continuing late into the night.
These meetings include central leaders, former MPs, and representatives from district and Upazila levels.
The report also claimed that even sessions attended by Sheikh Hasina are not immune to money dealings, with leaders allegedly paying to get speaking opportunities in her presence.
Some insiders have pointed to AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, who they say has turned Telegram into his main political stage.
One senior figure quoted in the report said, “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."
Despite delivering fiery speeches on Telegram such as calls to “surround Dhaka”, Quader has yet to offer any concrete strategy or timeline.
The report said he now sets his own speaking schedules on the app, though many within the party view these actions more as expressions of political frustration than coherent strategy.
The Indian media outlet says the issue is not only a concern for leaders like Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Hasan Mahmud, Mohammad A Arafat, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, or Mohibul Hasan Chowdhoury Nowfel but also for Hasina herself. Several groups are believed to have been infiltrated by intelligence operatives loyal to Yunus.
According to the report, infiltration from the Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP has long existed within the party. Now, leaders say pro-Yunus intelligence agents are also entering the scene.
These infiltrators are allegedly recording conversations and using them to identify and arrest activists.
Asked how these suspicions emerged, a senior party leader said, “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.”
On how Hasina plans to address the situation, News18 reports that AL leaders have been told to either take to the streets or resign.
Hasina wants fresh leadership to emerge with new ideas and initiatives, it says. She does not want the party’s activists to remain confined to online platforms.
Amid fears that sensitive information may be leaked or end up on the dark web, all AL Telegram users have reportedly been instructed to use VPNs.
“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," another senior leader told News18.
