Awami League councillors from across the country join the party's national council today with high expectations.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, a number of AL councillors said they want to elect the party's top leadership through direct votes for ensuring intra-party democracy and the central leaders' accountability to the grassroots.

They would ask the council to replace corrupt and opportunist leaders with dedicated, trusted and honest ones in the central leadership to brighten the party's image.

More than 6,500 councillors, who hold important positions in AL's grassroots units, are taking part in the party's 20th council at Suhrawardy Udyan.

This newspaper talked to more than a dozen AL councillors, mostly presidents and general secretaries of different district units.

The councillors said they would urge the council and the party chief to ensure that coordination is maintained between the lawmakers and grassroots leaders.

According to the AL constitution, the councillors will elect new leadership of the party, which has been led by Sheikh Hasina since 1981. Syed Ashraful Islam has been holding the post of general secretary since 2009.

The councillors, however, said they would accept whatever decision party President Sheikh Hasina would make regarding the new committee.   

In the two-day council, the main focus would be on the election to the post of general secretary.

There is speculation that Syed Ashraf would be elected as the party's general secretary for the third consecutive time.

"In the council, we want honest leaders, who are friendly towards party workers," said Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu, president of Barguna district unit AL.

Shaheen Chaklader, general secretary of Jessore district unit AL, said, "We want a committee that would include new and dynamic leaders, who have good contacts with the party's grassroots workers."

Echoing his view, Asgor Ali, general secretary of Kushtia district unit AL, said, "We will tell the council to ensure accountability of party leaders at all levels so that none can go unpunished after doing anything wrong."

Farukuzzaman Chowdhury Michael, joint general secretary of Dinajpur district AL, said, "If the leaders are elected through direct votes as per the party constitution, it would help hold them accountable to the grassroots."

"We will request the council to make sure that no opportunist and infiltrator from the BNP-Jamaat can get any party post," he added.

Pankaj Kumar Kundu, general secretary of Magura district unit AL, said they would put emphasis on party discipline.

"We will call upon the central leadership to ensure coordination at all levels and take measures to end all disputes between the MPs and the grassroots leaders," he said.

Matiur Rahman, president of Sunamganj district AL, said they would urge the party chief to consider giving top positions to experienced and trusted leaders.

Jainal Abedin, president of Meherpur district AL, said, "We want those leaders, who would work relentlessly to root out terrorism and militancy... We don't want to see corrupt leaders in the central committee.

"We want corruption-free Awami League," he added.