Keeping Sheikh Hasina, daughter of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as the president as usual, a massive change might come in the Awami Leadership through its upcoming two-day long 21th central council scheduled on December 20 and 21.
According to sources in the party’s policy level, many surprises may come in the next council as more than a half of the total leaders of the existing committee might be excluded while the same number of new faces might be included as the new leaders in the next committee.
On the other hand, those who have already been rewarded with the posts of ministers, lawmakers and other important positions in the government, may not be offered ‘key positions’ in the party.
Changes in the leaderships of the ruling party is said to be a part of the ongoing ‘cleansing drive’ inside the party itself. The zero-tolerance policy of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina against crimes and corruption is the main reason behind the expected changes in the party leadership through the exclusion of a major portion of existing leaders, said the sources.
According to the sources, around 40 to 45 leaders of the 83-member AL central executive committee would be sidelined and around 50 new faces would be included as the new leaders accordingly.
Seeking anonymities several AL leaders said that at a meeting of the party’s National Committee meeting on last Wednesday (Dec 4), party chief Sheikh Hasina already expressed her desires the upcoming council and selection of new leaderships as well.
She said that those who have sacrificed for the party their roles would be considered in the next council. She also hinted that leaders with honesty and clean images will also be given priorities.
Sources in the party said the party chief, Sheikh Hasina has a list of leaders in her hands. The list has been prepared based on intelligence from different agencies. She also has the details about the activities of her party men during the last 11-year of the government in two regimes.
AL sources said, leaders from all the categories like in the presidium members’ body, secretary members’ body and executive members’ body in the existing committee might be faced off through the council and accordingly new faces would be picked up considering their dedication to the party and clean images.
Besides, young and energetic people would get priorities in the selection as the new leaders while women leaderships would get extra emphasises.
Leaders from student and youth politics as well as from the law, engineering and business sectors would be selected considering their contributions in their respective sectors.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said there will be no change in the post of party president in the next national council as Sheikh Hasina is still essential and relevant for the party.
“All the leaders and workers from centre to the grassroots are united under her leadership”, said Obaidul Quader while replying to a question after a meeting of AL sub-committee at the party president’s Dhanmondi political office.
Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said AL President Sheikh Hasina would decide whether any change would be made in the general secretary post.
It should be mentioned that the process of councils of different units of the AL and its various front organisations are on. As part of the process, the councils of AL’s two units of Dhaka City, Awami Jubo League, Swechchhasebok League, Krishok League and several other units already have been held while councils for many other units are on the way.