All eyes on gen secretary post

Festivity was in the air. Large flags, banners, festoons and portraits of Awami League leaders were everywhere at the capital’s Suhrawardy Udyan, where thousands of leaders and activists went to join the party’s 21st council yesterday.

Amid this festivity, everyone was curious to know who would be holding the party’s general secretary post.

There were discussions within the party’s rank and file whether incumbent GS Obaidul Quader would get re-elected or be replaced, said insiders.

What is almost certain, however, is that Sheikh Hasina, who has been leading the party since 1981, will be re-elected as the AL president, they said.

Now all eyes are on the GS post as the triennial council rolls on to the final day today. A council session at The Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, in the capital would form the party’s central working committee.  

In the face of the recent anti-corruption drive, the AL councillors and delegates expect that the party’s second-in-command will be someone with a clean record and have expertise in organisational activities.

Around 3:00pm yesterday, Hasina inaugurated the two-day council at the Suhrawardy Udyan by hoisting the national flag, the party flag and releasing pigeons.

Grassroots leaders from across the country started thronging the venue since morning.

Amid a big round of applause, Hasina, in her speech, said she over the years revitalised Awami League to make it the largest and strongest political party of the country.

She said the party suffered splits on one or two occasions even after she returned to the country in 1981. “I went all across the country and revitalised it [AL] gradually.”

She also said upholding principle and ideology is the most important for any political leader. “So the person must be ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of their principle and ideology.” 

Referring to a comment made by Bangabandhu, she said temporary benefits are achieved if any party moves ahead with leaders without principles. “But those leaders are not found at the time of struggles -- it’s the biggest reality.

“In this council, it’s our pledge to build a hunger-and-poverty-free Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Bangabandhu.”

Some 15,000 councillors and delegates are taking part in the council. Leaders of other political parties and representatives of various professions also joined the inaugural session yesterday.

The council session today will elect the next central working committee of the ruling party for a three-year term. It will be attended by some 7,500 councillors from across the country.

AL sources said the number of women in the AL central committee will increase from the existing 15, as the Representation of the People Order 1972 stipulates that all registered political parties must increase female representation in their committees to 33 percent by 2020.

Also, senior leaders, who are holding different government positions, are unlikely to get the vital party posts, the sources said.

Besides, the number of the party’s advisory council members has already increased to 41 from 51.

Talking to The Daily Star, several AL grassroots leaders said they were charged up as there has been a move to reconstitute the party from the grassroots level, aiming to enhance the party’s organisational strength.

They said they believe leaders with clean record and those who are honest and dedicated would get key posts. This belief stemmed from the party firm stance against corruption.

An anti-corruption drive, launched a couple of months, brought to the fore the alleged involvement of some leaders of AL’s associated bodies in corruption and irregularities. Later, many of the leaders were removed from their posts.

Party sources also said inactive leaders might not find any spot in the new committee.

The AL has held 50 percent councils of its district units. Till December 13, councils of 30 district units, including at city and district levels, were held.

MIXED REACTION ON QUADER

Talking to several grassroots leaders, The Daily Star found a mixed reaction on Obaidul Quader retaining the GS post.

Some said the GS should only engage in party activities, rather than simultaneously holding a post of a minister. They believe doing both could hamper the party’s organisational activities.

Quader is the road transport and bridges minister.

A leader from Gazipur, Saiful Amin, said, “Quader bhai is fine but his physical condition is not well. The next general election is scheduled to be held in 2023. So we need a leader for the post who will be able to take up the challenge for the next three years.”

Another leader said they needed someone as competent, dedicated and tested as Quader ahead of the election.

According to AL sources, Quader went to the Gono Bhaban on Thursday night but couldn’t meet Hasina.

This led to speculation within the party that he might not get a second term as the GS.

Several names, including that of Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque, Housing Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud, Gazipur city AL President Azmatullah, have been in the discussion for the post, said party insiders.

The previous council held in October 2016 elected Hasina as the party president and Obaidul Quader as its general secretary.

Diplomats from the USA, the UK, Japan, Germany, North Korea, India, South Korea, the EU, China, Vietnam, Iraq, Palestine, Thailand and the representatives of Democracy International and the Department for International Development (DFID) joined the programme yesterday.