AL new committee to see big change

Awami League president and prime minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the party’s 21st council at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan on Friday.

Party insiders said prime minister Sheikh Hasina is set to become the party chief for the ninth term.

Ruling Awami League central leaders as well as new aspirants have been uncertain and in the dark ahead of the party’s national council sessions as to who will be dropped and who will be included.

The leaders said Obaidul Quader is likely to be made the general secretary for the second time.

Party insiders said there will be a major change in the new committee.

They said those who crossed 65 years old will not be accommodated in the new committee. Ex-Chhatra League leaders may be included and, on the contrary, controversial and inactive leaders will be dropped.

Some presidium members may be dropped in consideration of age and they may be accommodated in the advisory council.

Meanwhile, the number of members of advisory council have been increased to 51 from 41.

Except the president and the general secretary, joint general secretaries and secretaries may be included in the 17-member presidium.

The number of women may be increased in the new committee. Currently there are 15 women leaders in the committee.

Changes may be carried out in the posts of secretaries and executive members.

Awami League presidium member Mohammad Nasim said the dynamic leaders will be chosen so that they can organise the party in the future.

Except Jamaat-e-Islami, all political parties, foreign diplomats and civil society members have been invited in the council sessions.

About 7,500 councilors and 7,500 representatives will attend the council. In all 50,000 people will gather.

The council session for picking new leaders will be held at the Engineers Institution at 10am on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a three-member election commission has been formed. Leaders have hinted that there is no possibility of voting.

Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader may be elected president and general secretary uncontested through the proposal of single candidate for these two posts.

Then the major portion of the 81-member central committee may be declared on the same day.

Awami Muslim League was founded at Rose Garden on 23 June 1949. Later, the word ‘Muslim’ was left in the council session of 21 September 1955.

Earlier, a total of 20 council sessions were held. The last council was held on 22 and 23 October 2016.

*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Rabiul Islam.