UNB, Dhaka : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was reelected president of the ruling Awami League unopposed for the eighth consecutive time, while Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader its general secretary for the first time.
The councillors of Awami League, one of the oldest political parties of the country, unanimously elected them in its 20th council as there were no other candidates for the two top party posts.
Earlier, Awami League leader Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury proposed Hasina`s name for the post of president, while Awami League leader Syed Ashraful Islam proposed Obaidul Quader`s name as general secretary. Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak seconded Ashraf`s proposal.
Sheikh Hasina was first made the Awami League President in its council in 1981.
Quader is a former president of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student associate body of Awami League, and presidium member of the ruling party of its last committee.
Earlier, Dr Abdur Razzak, convener of constitution sub-committee of the council, presented amendments to the party constitution which was passed by the councilors.
As per the amendment, the size of national committee will be 180 in place of the existing 170. The committee will hold meeting once a year instead of every six months. But the meeting will be held more than once a year if the party President wishes.
According to the amendments, the number of presidium members will be increased to 19, including party president and general secretary, from the existing 15 while that of joint secretaries to 4 from the existing three. Besides, there will be eight organising secretaries in place of seven.
There will be a 19-member Local Government Nomination Board for party nomination in the local government bodies.
