The new leadership in Awami Jubo League offers up opportunities for a string of clarities along the raison d’etre of the associate bodies of the party.

These were set up to bolster the organizational structure and capabilities of the mother party, as well as act as enabling bodies to help in the implementation of the government and party initiatives.

Unfortunately, with the passage of time, the features of these activities have been lost and, as is evident from the recently announced purge in Chhatra and Jubo leagues, much deviated from. So much so that new candidates probably have no clue as to the true ideals behind the reason to be of these organizations.

For one, the role of Jubo League in implementing — or assisting implementation — of the master plan for 2021 and 2041 has not been made clear, nor is it visible. One would like to believe that there are (or will be) thinking persons in the league who can articulate such roles and then entrust the responsibility to suitable sub-committees.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has emphasized that the new leadership will be composed of sacrificing-minded youths and veterans. Now would be the best time for those persons to be inducted and entrusted accordingly. They must be accountable, and their activities must be visible if the casino and extortion scam is to be washed away as desired by the PM.

If half of what is being reported in a series by the media is to be taken seriously, the Jubo League had its fingers in many pies — all related to money-making. Whatever productive activity was undertaken has been overtaken by allegations.

The league can, by virtue of its judicious membership drive, show the way through training of the unemployed youth force, thereby supplementing government efforts in creating the society that is envisioned. Mere participation in national days and commemorative events cannot be the only signs of visibility.

There are talented members of the league that can create and organize syllabi that support learning new technology for those that can’t afford it. Given their knowledge of the shortcomings of the current education system, they can provide a bottom up solution to the problems faced by the youth in their endeavours towards a meaningful life that doesn’t skirt with the law.

Institutions can be created whereby vocational skills can be imparted that are affiliated with the national skill development curriculum and can be both voluntary as well as charge reasonable fees. Government funding for such institutions should be much easier to obtain, provided the accountability is there.

Now that the upper age of Jubo League membership has been restricted to 55, too high in this scribe’s opinion, there should be a mandatory tax and wealth check for leaders and those in gainful employment.

Because opportunities for purges don’t occur regularly, it is incumbent on the mother party to provide the checks and balances required.

Mahmudur Rahman is a writer, columnist, broadcaster, and communications specialist.