The stunning illuminations have changed the usual night view of Dhaka. The magical colours of the main street decorations created a dazzling sight where luminous arches, multi-coloured bulbs, sparkling projections of lights and gorgeous portraits have given the capital city a festive splendor.
Especially, the eye-catching lighting along with artistic-designed boat-shaped stage has turned the Suhrawardy Udyan into a magnificent venue for the two-day 20th triennial council of country’s oldest political party Awami League that begins Saturday [today].
Dhaka now can get the name — ‘City of Light’! The lights, which embellish the prestigious character of the ruling party AL and its courageous role in the nation’s crises, particularly in the War of Liberation in 1971.
Shining large-size coloured portraits of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and PM’s IT advisor and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy have been set up in different positions inside the venue and beside city thoroughfares.
All the seven gates of the Suhrawardy Udyan [for enter and exit] have been bedecked marvelously. If anyone enters through the Engineers Institution gate, he will see the portrayals of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Shamshul Haque, Maulana Abdur Rashid Tarkabgish, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and four slain national leaders.
The gate adjacent to the Institute of Fine Arts is displaying the nostalgic photographs of Sheikh Hasina [in different ages] along with her family members.
Besides, the photos of PM’s different national and international achievements are shown through the walkway of VVIP gate at Shikha Chiranton.
“About ninety-five percent works of podium, pandal and others sections are almost completed. We’ll be able to give final touch by Friday midnight,” AL joint secretary Zahangir Kabir Nanak said on Friday.
In various aspects, the council of AL this time has drawn attraction not only of political circle but also of entire nation. There is widespread speculation that some vital changes may take place in different tiers of the AL leadership. A total of eleven sub committees have been formed for different works, including amendment of party constitution and manifesto.
Interestingly, despite of lavish decoration the AL leaders and activists are now passing busy time in guessing who are coming in the party’s important posts. Thousands of AL men, including 6,700 councillors and same number of delegates, have already arrived in Dhaka to intensifying the lobbying and pushing.
Especially, the media reports of bringing change in the post of party’s general secretary [Obaidul Quader’s inclusion as an alternative of Syed Ashraful Islam] has fueled the rumour.
“If there is more than one candidate in the General Secretary post, it will be decided through ballots,” AL Presidium Member Kazi Zafarullah said. He, however, did not comment what will be the position of Syed Ashraf, if Quader is elected as secretary.
On the other hand, slain national leader and country’s first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed’s only son Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj came to Bangladesh from USA on Thursday centering the council. He has already met Sheikh Hasina and there is strong rumour that he can get the post of a joint secretary.
To elect new leaders, a three-member election commission has been constituted on Thursday headed by advisory council member advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun as its chairman. Two other members of the commission are Dr Mashiur Rahman and former secretary Rashidul Alam.
Apart from the General Secretary post, several leaders are trying to get a room in the presidium, the highest policy making body of the party. Of them, the names of education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Mahabubul Alam Hanif, Colonel [retd] Faruk Khan, former food minister Abdur Razzak, Abul Hasnat Abdullah, Mufazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and ABM Mahiuddin Chowdhury are mentionable.
Besides, the names for organizing secretaries have been surfaced are: Shahriar Alam, Mirza Azam, Abdullah Al-Islam Jacob, Enamul Haque Shamim, Sujit Roy Nandi, SM Kamal Hossain, Saifuzzaman Shekhor and Mainuddin Hasan Chowdhury.
“Naturally, the councillors and party workers will show enthusiasm over the forthcoming committee. The councillors have come from different parts of the country. So, there may be a discussion among them over the issue,” Zahangir Kabir Nanak said.
Meanwhile, the session of incumbent AL Central Working Committee [ALCWC] has been adjourned till the completion of party council. In the ALCWC meeting on Wednesday, all eleven subcommittees submitted their reports, and the ‘amended party constitution’ got final approval.
As per amendment, the members of central committee will be 81, which were earlier 73. In this regard, there will be four new seats in the presidium while one joint secretary, one organizing secretary and two members will be included in the council.
Side by side, the party manifesto has also been furnished with future goal and objectives of the party, including pro-people development works, sources said.
