AL to promote leaders close to grassroots

The ruling Awami League plans to strengthen the party base through the council by giving prominent positions to leaders who have close ties with the grassroots leaders and workers.

AL insiders said the party high-command wants to focus on strengthening the party keeping the next general election in mind.

In the last few years, the AL's focus was on strengthening relationships with friendly countries and that was why, they think, the party could not focus on strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level.

As relationships had reached a certain level, the party leadership now thinks it is time to focus on the grassroots, sources said.

AL insiders said General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam was busier with strengthening international relationships with the friendly countries than paying attention to party affairs over the last six years.   

They said AL leaderships have been advised by “a few foreign friends” to strengthen the party ahead of the next elections.         

In this connection the party would opt to elect a leader as general secretary who has strong connections with grassroots leaders and workers.

Contacted, AL Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury told The Daily Star that through this council the party would be made stronger. She said the party would elect a general secretary with whom AL President Sheikh Hasina would be comfortable to work with.