Quader pledges qualitative changes in AL
Obaidul Quader, newly elected general secretary of the ruling Awami League, yesterday said he would bring qualitative changes in the party and that would include discipline among the leaders and workers.
“We have to change our behaviour and become more acceptable to people,” he said, adding he would work to make the party men more disciplined.
“If we can't change ourselves, how can we change Bangladesh in line with the dream of our leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina?”
Quader was talking to journalists at Dhanmondi's Priyanka Community Centre in the capital yesterday.
It was his first media briefing after being elected AL's second-in-command in the party's 20th national council on Sunday when Sheikh Hasina was re-elected AL president for the eighth consecutive time.
Vowing to strengthen the party's grassroots units, Quader said two misdeeds are enough to ruin 10 good jobs.
About the party's next course of action, Quader said they have two agendas -- defeating communal forces and preparing for the next general elections.
"We want to achieve victory in the next election by organising the grassroots," he said, adding the fight against communalism and extremism will continue as per the commitment made at the council.
Hasina, also the prime minister, on Sunday asked her party colleagues on Sunday to prepare for the next general elections.
Quader, also minister for road, transport and bridges, expressed his gratitude to Hasina, saying he had achieved the best recognition in his political life. “I'm grateful to the Awami League president.”
He also said, "If I fail to perform my duties, it'll be dishonouring the trust of the Awami League president."
Talking about the council, he said it was Syed Ashraful Islam, immediate past general secretary, who proposed his name for the position. "It's a big surprise and it's the magical power of Sheikh Hasina's leadership."
Thanking his predecessor, he said the experience of Syed Ashraf will help him perform his duties properly.
Responding to a query, Quader said there might be differences of opinions in the party. But, he said, no one can do anything without Hasina's permission as “she is the symbol of the party's unity”.
Quader said the full committee of the party would be declared within a week. The council announced names of 21 office bearers out of 81.
SYED ASHRAF ON LEAVE!
Outgoing Awami League general secretary and Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam is going to London for about two weeks.
He has applied for a 15-day leave to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as his wife is unwell in London, said a close aide of the minister. He will leave Dhaka for London on Friday.
Ashraf declined to talk to the media after the weekly cabinet meeting at the secretariat yesterday, a day after the AL National Council where Obaidul Quader was elected new party general secretary.
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