AL's 22nd national council concludes with new committee

The 22nd National Council of the ruling Awami League concluded with formation of new committee 0n Saturday.

Sheikh Hasina has been reelected as President of Awami League (AL) for the 10th consecutive time in council.

Obaidul Quader was reelected to the post of AL General Secretary for the third consecutive term.

They were reelected for the next three years at the second session of the national council in the auditorium of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).

Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, chief election commissioner of the council, declared the names of the president and general secretary.

AL President Sheikh Hasina along with party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader began the council session in the IEB auditorium at 3 pm.

Later, Jamalpur district AL president Bakibillah, Faridpur district AL President Shamim Haque, Sylhet district AL President Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury, Bogura district AL president Mujibur Rahman, Thakurgaon district AL president Sadek Quraishi, Patuakhali district AL president Kazi Alamgir, Chattogram City AL president Mahatab Uddin Chowdhury and Narail district Al president Subash Chandra Bose addressed the session.

Later, newly elected president of AL Sheikh Hasina announced the names of presidium members, joint general secretaries, organizing secretaries and secretariat members.

Besides, Awami League Parliamentary Board and Local Government Nomination Board were also formed in the council.

Earlier, Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 22nd national council of one of the sub-continent's largest political parties, Bangladesh Awami League in the morning.

She opened the council by hoisting the national flag and releasing pigeons and balloons at 10.30 am at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan, amid tight security.

At the outset of the council, AL Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua placed the obituary references.

AL Presidium Member and reception committee convener Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, MP, delivered the welcome address.

Party's General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, MP, placed the organisational report.

The council venue Suhrawardy Udyan wore a festive look as huge number of leaders and workers of the party from different parts of the country started gathering there since morning to join the programme.

The venue and adjoining areas have been decorated with the images of some achievements of the government, including Padma Bridge, metro rail, and Bangabandhu satellite and pictures and portraits of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and their family members.

The main theme of this year's council was 'Unnoyon Abhijatrai Deshratna Sheikh Hasinar Netritte Bangabandhur Swapner Unnoto, Samridho O Smart Bangladesh Gorar Protoye'.

The stage was made in the shape of a boat along with Padma Bridge which is 80 feet long and 44 feet wide.

Five entry gates were in the venue and one for VIPs. Besides, LED monitors were put in the council venue.

Tight security measures were taken to avert any untoward incident.

As many as 7,000 councilors and 15,000 delegates joined the council while invited guests including representatives of different political parties and foreign envoys stationed in Dhaka, ministers, lawmakers and eminent personalities also attended the inaugural session at the Suhrawardy Udyan.

A total of 120 chairs were kept at the main stage for central leaders of the party.

The party was initially floated as the East Pakistan Awami Muslim League at the historic Rose Garden in Dhaka, but the word "Muslim" was dropped during its third council in 1955 to make the party more inclusive and secular.

The last 21st council of the party was held at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan on December 20-21 in 2019.

Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader were reelected President and General Secretary respectively in the council.