Sagar Biswas :
The ruling Awami League is taking massive preparations for its 20th National Council, scheduled on October 22 and 23, where a specific work plan would be projected in the party’s declaration to turn Bangladesh into a developed country by 2040.
With a view to diversifying the organization, the AL is also likely to bring important changes in the mid-level of central body introducing a bunch of new faces in the national council, insiders said.
There is a little chance of bringing any change in the top posts, but a dozen of new faces may be included in the posts of joint secretaries, organizing secretaries, central committee members and fill-up 33 per cent women quota in line with party manifesto.
At present, the party has four women leaders in the 12-member presidium, seven female members among 131-member central executive committee and 2 women members in the advisory committee. It is only 7.34 per cent in the committees.
Some of the distinguished women leaders’ names have been surfaced for the new posts. Of them, President of Mohila Sramik League president Rowshan Jahan Sathi, Sagufta Yasmin Emili, Meher Afroz Chumki, Tarana Halim, Nurjahan Begum Mukta, Washika Ayesha Khanom, Uma Chowdhury and Nazma Akter are mentionable.
“The upcoming party council will elect new central executive committee comprising old and new faces under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. AL will get new committee with old and new faces . . . The prime challenge for new leadership would be bringing the party in power with people’s mandate in the 2019 general election,” AL Presidium Member and Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim said.
The expansion of the central committee, from existing 73 to 81 members, is almost certain. Side by side, the committees from grassroots level to upazila and district level- would also be expanded in line with the new strategy, the insiders said.
As per existing organogram, there are seven posts of organizing secretaries in the party. There may be a proposal to increase the number of organizing secretaries from seven to ten in the upcoming council.
In this context, one of the three new organizing secretaries may come from Mymensigh division. Besides, two others may come from Comilla and Faridpur – while government is actively considering to introduce both the areas as divisions. These matters will be mentioned in the amended organogram for future decision, sources said.
“The main goal of the national council of the AL is to prevent communalism and militancy. The AL central committee will be constituted with the participation of fresh blood and experienced persons. Both young and aged leaders will be kept there for the wellbeing of organization,” Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader recently said.
Obaidul Quader, who is AL Presidium Member and convener of office sub-committee of the national council preparatory committee, said: “The main commitment of the council is to establish a non-communal state defeating communalism and militancy under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
Sources close to the ruling party said, those who had sacrificed for the party during crucial moment after 2001 election may be included in the committee. Besides, some former Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders may get a room in the central committee.
There will be no voting to elect party President or General Secretary in the Council like the previous councils. There is no alternative of Sheikh Hasina, who is also incumbent President of the AL, is likely to be the party President again.
At the same time, Syed Ashraful Islam may get again party’s second most important post of General Secretary as there is a little chance to get another candidate for the post. Senior party leaders said that it’s totally under the jurisdiction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to choose the general secretary.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her younger sister Sheikh Rehena and daughter Saima Wazed Putul are going to attend the 20th national council as nominated councillors of Dhaka City South Unit of Awami League.
The list of councillors was submitted to the central committee on Wednesday,” Shah Alam Murad, General Secretary of Dhaka City South Unit, said.
Earlier, PM’s son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy and Sheikh Rehena’s son Redwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby became councillors for the national council from Rangpur and Dhaka City North respectively. Joy’s father late MA Wazed Miah hailed from Rangpur, while Redwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby lives under the jurisdictions of Dhaka City North.
The AL’s last council was held in December 29, 2012, which re-elected PM Sheikh Hasina as President and Syed Ashraful Islam as General Secretary.
The ruling Awami League is taking massive preparations for its 20th National Council, scheduled on October 22 and 23, where a specific work plan would be projected in the party’s declaration to turn Bangladesh into a developed country by 2040.
With a view to diversifying the organization, the AL is also likely to bring important changes in the mid-level of central body introducing a bunch of new faces in the national council, insiders said.
There is a little chance of bringing any change in the top posts, but a dozen of new faces may be included in the posts of joint secretaries, organizing secretaries, central committee members and fill-up 33 per cent women quota in line with party manifesto.
At present, the party has four women leaders in the 12-member presidium, seven female members among 131-member central executive committee and 2 women members in the advisory committee. It is only 7.34 per cent in the committees.
Some of the distinguished women leaders’ names have been surfaced for the new posts. Of them, President of Mohila Sramik League president Rowshan Jahan Sathi, Sagufta Yasmin Emili, Meher Afroz Chumki, Tarana Halim, Nurjahan Begum Mukta, Washika Ayesha Khanom, Uma Chowdhury and Nazma Akter are mentionable.
“The upcoming party council will elect new central executive committee comprising old and new faces under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. AL will get new committee with old and new faces . . . The prime challenge for new leadership would be bringing the party in power with people’s mandate in the 2019 general election,” AL Presidium Member and Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim said.
The expansion of the central committee, from existing 73 to 81 members, is almost certain. Side by side, the committees from grassroots level to upazila and district level- would also be expanded in line with the new strategy, the insiders said.
As per existing organogram, there are seven posts of organizing secretaries in the party. There may be a proposal to increase the number of organizing secretaries from seven to ten in the upcoming council.
In this context, one of the three new organizing secretaries may come from Mymensigh division. Besides, two others may come from Comilla and Faridpur – while government is actively considering to introduce both the areas as divisions. These matters will be mentioned in the amended organogram for future decision, sources said.
“The main goal of the national council of the AL is to prevent communalism and militancy. The AL central committee will be constituted with the participation of fresh blood and experienced persons. Both young and aged leaders will be kept there for the wellbeing of organization,” Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader recently said.
Obaidul Quader, who is AL Presidium Member and convener of office sub-committee of the national council preparatory committee, said: “The main commitment of the council is to establish a non-communal state defeating communalism and militancy under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
Sources close to the ruling party said, those who had sacrificed for the party during crucial moment after 2001 election may be included in the committee. Besides, some former Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders may get a room in the central committee.
There will be no voting to elect party President or General Secretary in the Council like the previous councils. There is no alternative of Sheikh Hasina, who is also incumbent President of the AL, is likely to be the party President again.
At the same time, Syed Ashraful Islam may get again party’s second most important post of General Secretary as there is a little chance to get another candidate for the post. Senior party leaders said that it’s totally under the jurisdiction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to choose the general secretary.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her younger sister Sheikh Rehena and daughter Saima Wazed Putul are going to attend the 20th national council as nominated councillors of Dhaka City South Unit of Awami League.
The list of councillors was submitted to the central committee on Wednesday,” Shah Alam Murad, General Secretary of Dhaka City South Unit, said.
Earlier, PM’s son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy and Sheikh Rehena’s son Redwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby became councillors for the national council from Rangpur and Dhaka City North respectively. Joy’s father late MA Wazed Miah hailed from Rangpur, while Redwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby lives under the jurisdictions of Dhaka City North.
The AL’s last council was held in December 29, 2012, which re-elected PM Sheikh Hasina as President and Syed Ashraful Islam as General Secretary.
