Ashraf likely to retain GS post
Sohel Taj may become first joint secretary
Abu Jakir
The incumbent general secretary of the ruling Awami League Syed Ashraful Islam is likely to be reelected to his post for the third consecutive time, party sources have said.
Ashraf was elected the general secretary of the AL for the first time at the 18th council session held on July 24, 2009. The party held its last (19th) council on December 29, 2012.
Although the election to the AL general secretary post depends entirely on party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, party insiders said Syed Ashrafs reelection is almost certain as, what they said, there is no alternative to Ashraf at the time for the general secretary post.
It was widely reported after Wednesdays Awami League Central Working Committee meeting that party presidium member, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Quader has been chosen to replace Ashraf as the general secretary of the AL. However, the media reports had quite an impact on the AL, as party well-wishers started discussing what was going on inside. However, after the first day of the 20th national council of the AL yesterday, it was almost evident among the party leaders that Syed Ashraf, also the public administration minister, was going to be reelected as the partys general secretary. Party sources said after media reports on Quader, sons
of four slain national leaders, including Ashraf himself, visited party chief Sheikh Hasina and discussed the issue with her.
This correspondent talked with several central leaders of the party and from the conversations with them, it was apparent that Syed Ashraful Islam, eldest son of national leader Syed Nazrul Islam, will be the next general secretary of the AL.
Contacted, AL organising secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said, As far as I know, there is no chance for Obaidul Quader to be the general secretary of Bangladesh Awami League.
Seeking anonymity, a central leader, who is also one of the sons of four national leaders, said, All confusion that prevails in the political arena over the past couple of days has already ended. Now, it is clear who is going to adorn the number two position of the countrys oldest and largest political party.
Earlier on Friday, at a programme in the capital, Syed Ashraf said none but he and party chief Sheikh Hasina knew who would be the next general secretary of the party.
All rumors and confusions will end after the 20th council session, he said against the backdrop of a rumor that Quader might become the next general secretary of the party.
Party sources also said that Sohel Taj who is the son of Bangladeshs first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad might become the number one joint secretary of the AL, while Mahbubul Alam Hanif might adorn the number two joint secretary post. Speculations have it that Hasinas son Sajeeb Wazed Joy might be made a member of the executive body of the party.
The Awami League (AL) will reportedly introduce major changes to its highest policymaking executive bodyAwami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC)at the partys 20th council session as well, insiders said. They said some new faces would be inducted into the new committee, while some elderly leaders might be dropped. At least 15 new faces with clean images are likely to be introduced to the new committee. Earlier, Quader had told The Independent that some fresh faces will be inducted into the new executive committee, in line with the Digital Bangladesh vision and in keeping with the demand of grassroots activists. Mahbubul Alam Hanif said the partys executive committee that currently has 73 members will be increased to 81.
