The 22nd National Council of the ruling Awami League may be held at the end of next December. Meanwhile, the heat of the council has spread to party politics. The most talked about topic is who will be the next general secretary. Some say that the current general secretary Obaidul Quader will do a hat trick in the same position. Again, many say that the change in the post of general secretary is a matter of time. It is certain that there will be a change in the post of General Secretary. At the same time, there will be major changes in the membership of the party`s highest policy-making forum, the Presidium. There may be big changes in the post of organizing secretary. Multiple sources in the party have confirmed this to me.
The last 21st National Conference of Awami League was held on 20-21 December 2019. Bangabandhu`s daughter Sheikh Hasina was elected as the president in that conference. And Obaidul Quader got the responsibility as general secretary for the second time. Like every time, this time also the 22nd conference will be held at the scheduled time. Awami League leaders and activists at all levels want to see Sheikh Hasina as the president of the conference before the 12th national parliament elections.
They feel that the party has not yet created an alternative to Bangabandhu daughter. As a result, the interest is only around the post of general secretary. Obaidul Quader is getting the responsibility for the third consecutive term, or a new person is being given the responsibility - inside and outside the party there is a hair-raising analysis going on. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has been seriously ill for a long time. He did not participate in most of the district-upazila conferences due to physical illness. Joined several conferences virtually over the past few months. Couldn`t do it on an organized tour anywhere in person. As a result, it is said that the possibility of keeping him in this important position of the party before the 12th National Parliament election is very low. There is a strong possibility that the current General Secretary Obaidul Quader will be removed from the post mainly due to his physical condition.
Also, by analyzing the past conferences of Awami League, it can be seen that only Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman served as General Secretary of Awami League for the third consecutive time. After that, no one was given responsibility for the third time in that position. Most served a maximum of two terms. Obaidul Quader is sure to be removed from this post due to the physical condition and not being the general secretary of the party three times in a row. A host of senior central leaders` names have come up in discussions amid rumors of his exit. Those who were strongly associated with Chhatra League politics after 1975. He played an important role in marches-meetings, agitations-struggles, meetings and field politics against BNP-Jamaat.
Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former general secretary of Chhatra League and current presidium member of Awami League, is ahead of the post of general secretary. He also served as the chairman of the Jubo League during the difficult times of the party with success. As a result, Nanak has a wide following and popularity throughout the country. That`s why there is a strong rumor that he will be the general secretary of the conference this time. Abdur Rahman, former general secretary of Chhatra League and current presidium member of Awami League, is running for the post of general secretary. He has played an important role in the field movement-struggle, march-meetings, gatherings from the period after 75 to the time of One-Eleven government.
Awami League presidium member and Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzak is also in discussion. He can also come to this position due to maintaining a clean image in the field of politics. A particular country`s sympathy is also said to be in its support.
Others who are in discussion for the post of General Secretary - Joint General Secretary and Information Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif, Presidium Member Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya.
Although not openly, each of them is trying to become the general secretary of the party. They are regularly attending party programs and party offices to express their personal position. Joining various district and upazila A.League conferences. Every time the National Council of Awami League has been held, former leaders of Chhatra League have been given the responsibility of general secretary. It is said that if Obaidul Quader is replaced, a former BCL leader will be brought to that position.
According to Ganabhaban sources, who will be the general secretary in the party`s 22nd conference depends entirely on the decision of Awami League president Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Those who are steadfast to the ideals of Bangabandhu, uncompromising to the principles and ideals of the party, tested by hardships and difficulties, are united in the ongoing progress of development. He will evaluate all those leaders through the council. In that case, the general secretary will select the aspirants from among the leaders who are honest, efficient, corruption-free, dedicated to the party, hardworking, talented, tested and have led in difficult times. Two of the organizing secretaries may be seen as presidium or joint general secretaries. They are Ahmed Hossain and BM Mozammel Haque.
Major changes will be made not only in the post of general secretary, but also in party presidium members, joint general secretaries, organizational secretary posts, editorial posts and membership posts. At least 25 people are leaving the central committee. In their place, young, dedicated, talented, former student leaders will be brought to the posts. Several influential and popular leaders were kept out of the party after the 21st Congress as part of the separation of the party and the government. It is known that they are returning to the team in this conference.
They are former organizing secretary and former president of Chhatra League AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, former organizing secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury. According to Awami League sources, the preparations for the national conference have started. The work of preparing the draft list of the sub-committee has already started. Preparations are being made for the national meeting. Keeping the current politics in front, the central leadership will be poured along with the amendment and addition of the constitution. Sajib Wazed Joy, Saima Wazed Putul and Redwan Mujib Siddique Bobby can come to the central committee.
Awami League presidium member Abdur Rahman told Daily Post, "The 22nd conference of Awami League will be held at the appointed time. All the activities are already being started to carry out the conference properly.”
When asked, Awami League Advisory Council member Mozaffar Hossain Paltu told Daily Post, "According to custom, the Awami League conference is held at the scheduled time. Through the conference, the leadership is brought up with the combination of novices and seniors.” He further said, "Council is the main way to create new leadership of any political party. It is only through the Council that it is possible to bring forth competent and proper leadership."
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