AL likely to introduce new posts including executive president’s

July 24 National Council
AL likely to introduce new posts including executive president’s
Awami League may introduce some new posts including that of an executive president at the national council on July 24.
Currently, its 73-member central committee has a president, a general secretary, a 13-member presidium, three joint general secretaries, seven organisational secretaries, 19 departmental secretaries, a treasurer, two deputy secretaries and 26 general members.
AL President Sheikh Hasina is considering some changes in the party constitution to increase the size of the committee and restructure it, said a source close to her.
An executive president’s post may be created to allow her to devote herself entirely to the prime ministerial job.
Hasina, the source added, wants a group of leaders to manage the organisation and another to run the administration.
Keeping it in mind, she may choose some dedicated leaders, mostly out of the council of ministers, for key party positions.
The AL constitution prescribes that councillors elect a president, presidium members, a general secretary, departmental secretaries and a treasurer at a national council every three years.
But in practice, the councillors leave the election to the posts to the AL president’s discretion.
Some sources said the party may opt for a spokesperson’s post along with two general secretaries.
The source close to the AL chief however said there’s no possibility of having two general secretaries.
He said if new posts are created through amendments to the charter, Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana may be given a special position.
“She [Rehana] might be made executive president or a member of the presidium,” he added.
Meanwhile, several leaders on Thursday demanded that those who attempted to have an “AL minus Hasina in the name of reforms” after 1/11 be identified and left out of the new committee altogether.
Kamal Ahmed Mazumder MP, Awami Swechchasebak League President AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Khizir Hayat Lizu, Anwar Hossain, Iqbal Hossain Apu and Akhtar Hossain are among those who spoke against the “reformists” at a meeting preparatory to the council.
Talking to The Daily Star, some other AL leaders said this sort of call would divide the rank and file ahead of the council.
The high command must not take decisions that could lead to even deeper divisions amongst the ranks, said a leader preferring not to be quoted.
He said the government will have to see off challenges like rooting out militancy. Divisions would only make matters complicated.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the AL president’s political office in Dhanmondi is getting festive with leaders from across the country joining in the preparations for the long-awaited council.
Many have been lobbying the central leaders close to Hasina for a berth in the next committee.
Sub-committees formed for the council are meeting every day at the Dhanmondi office.
Over 5,000 councillors are expected to attend the convention on July 24 to elect a new leadership for a three-year term.

Courtesy of The Daily Star