The ruling Awami League has identified around 1,500 infiltrators who joined the party and its affiliated bodies on different occasions.

The party is sending letters to the presidents and general secretaries of its organisational units across the country to get rid of the infiltrators and controversial leaders, several AL insiders told this newspaper.

These controversial leaders will be ousted from the party’s associate and front organisations when their councils will be held at the upazila and district levels, said the insiders.

The move comes amid the ongoing anti-corruption drive that began in September. Several leaders of the AL and its associate bodies have been arrested over their alleged links with casino business, gambling and other illegal activities.

Besides, a travel ban has been imposed on 23 people, including Whip of the Treasury Bench Shamsul Haque Chowdhury and AL lawmaker Nurunnabi Chowdhury Shawon.

Talking to reporters yesterday, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader said a list of 1,500 infiltrators was prepared under the supervision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The intruders are tarnishing the party’s image by indulging in various illegal activities, he said after visiting two projects in Gazipur.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said the councils of the AL’s several organisational units will be held across the country before the party’s national council next month.

Directives have been given to the leaders concerned so that no controversial person is included in the new committees, he mentioned.

“We welcome those with clean image to join the Awami League,” added the AL leader.

The party has already fixed dates for holding the councils of 27 district units.

The councils of AL’s associate organisations Jubo League, Swechhasebak League and Krishak League will be held this month.

Hasina on several occasions hinted that controversial leaders would not be included in the central committee to be formed through the party’s council slated for December 20-21.

In September, Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon and Golam Rabbani were removed from the posts of Chhatra League president and general secretary for their controversial activities.

Later, Jubo League organising secretary Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan, its Dhaka South City Unit president Ismail Chowdhury Samrat and contractor GK Shamim were arrested over their alleged involvement in casino business, gambling and other illegal activities.

Omar Faruk Chowdhury was removed from the post of Jubo League president amid allegations of corruption. Swechhasebak League president Molla Abu Kausar and its secretary Pankaj Devnath were also relieved of their posts.