The Awami League is set to hold its 20th triennial national council with little prospect of seeing changes in the top brass, predict party insiders.
Seeking anonymity, a member of the party's existing advisory committee, told the Dhaka Tribune that no major changes would come in the top leadership during the upcoming council.
He said: “There is no question of bringing any change in the top leadership. Signs are there that it will be a repetition of the last council which re-elected Sheikh Hasina president and Syed Ashraful Islam general secretary.”
Hasina and Syed Ashraful were reelected as party president and general secretary in the 19th central council held on December 29, 2012.
Wishing anonymity, another top leader of the party's presidium body, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Sheikh Hasina will have the power to decide on all the positions in the central body as the last council empowered her to pick other office bearers and she already has shared her thought over the matter at a recent meeting with top leaders.”
“The party chief made it clear that she does not want any change in party's top leadership. She wants Syed Ashraful to get reelected,” added the ruling party leader.
However, media reports claimed that Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader would be contesting in the upcoming council for the post of general secretary.
Trashing those reports, Obaidul Quader declared that he would not be contesting for any post in the upcoming national council.
Addressing a ‘Meet the Press’ programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Monday afternoon, he said: “I will not be contesting for any post in the national council of Awami League. Many media outlets are reporting that I will be vying for the post of secretary but it’s not true.
“I am neither contesting nor do I wish to.”
He also expressed dissatisfaction over running such “fake reports.”
However, few changes will be brought to the party constitution aiming to enlarge the Central Working Committee, said party insiders.
They informed that a total of eight new posts would be added in the 73-member committee.
“Right now, the party has seven organising secretaries for seven divisions. But, three more posts of organising secretary will be created for Mymenshingh, Comilla and grater Faridpur,” said a leader.
Besides, changes to the party's charter and declaration will also be brought, said party insiders.
Party leaders said three new posts would be created in the presidium, the highest policymaking body of the ruling party. Moreover, the presidium and the party's advisory council may witness exchanges of members, said AL leaders.
The council is scheduled to be held on October 22 and 23 at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.
Awami League has formed a 69-member preparation committee for the council with party president Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
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