AL likely to introduce three leadership posts

The ruling Awami League is likely to introduce three key leadership positions in the party -- two organising secretaries and a joint general secretary -- as the government is set to announce two new geographical divisions of the country.

However, top leaders of the ruling party confirmed that although three key positions will be added to the party, the size of Awami League's central working committee -- the party's highest decision-making body -- will not increase.

Sources said party president Sheikh Hasina is against making the apex body -- which currently comprises 81 members -- larger.

In that case, the party may deduct three members from the executive committee.

As per the party's constitution, currently, there are 28 posts for executive members.

The issue was discussed at the first meeting of the subcommittee formed for constitutional amendments on November 12, with the agriculture minister and party presidium member Abdur Razzaque in the chair.

After the meeting, the committee sent letters to the party's grassroots leaders, seeking their recommendations for bringing amendments to the party charter, to modernise it and make it more time-befitting.

They were asked to send their suggestions within two weeks, after which, the sub-committee will scrutinise the suggestions.

The report prepared by the subcommittee after scrutinising the recommendations from the grassroots leaders will then be placed before the party's upcoming national council -- scheduled for December 24 -- for approval.

The 81-member AL executive committee comprises the president, general secretary, 17 presidium members, eight organising secretaries, four joint general secretaries, a treasurer, 21 departmental secretaries and 28 executive members.

Besides, the party has a 51-member advisory council, which is considered to be the think-tank of the party.

Meanwhile, the government is going to form two new divisions -- Padma and Meghna -- which will comprise districts in Faridpur and Cumilla regions. The issue will be placed before a meeting of the National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reforms (Nicar), to be held today.

Currently, there are eight divisions in the country -- Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Mymensingh, Barishal, Rangpur and Sylhet. Hence, AL currently has eight organising secretaries for each division.

Top leaders of the ruling party confirmed that although three key positions will be added to the party, the size of Awami League's central working committee -- the party's highest decision-making body -- will not increase. Sources said party president Sheikh Hasina is against making the apex body -- which currently comprises 81 members -- larger. In that case, the party may deduct three members from the executive committee.

The draft of the new charter will propose 10 positions of organising secretaries, as per the potential new number of the divisions.

In that case, one post of a joint general secretary will be added to the existing four posts, as every two divisions are under a joint secretary's jurisdiction.

Contacted, AL office secretary Biplab Barua said they are considering making some amendments to the constitution and also discussed creating two more posts of organising secretaries and one of a joint general secretary.