The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The 20th national council of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League yesterday unanimously reelected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as president of the party for the sixth term and endorsed the selection of Syed Ashraful Islam as general secretary.

Awami League (AL) senior presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury proposed the name of Sheikh Hasina for president and another presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim proposed the name of Syed Ashraful Islam for the post of general secretary. AL presidium member and Minister for Agriculture Matia Chowdhury seconded both the names.

There was no other candidate for the two coveted positions of the oldest political party of the country. Thus the two names were given for voice vote when the councilors voted unanimously for Sheikh Hasina and Syed Ashraful Islam for a three-year term.

Despite speculations neither Sheikh Rehana, younger sister of Sheikh Hasina, nor her son Sajib Wazed Joy attended the conference.

The council reposed power to the president for announcing a full fledged committee comprising 73 members.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Sheikh Hasina inaugurating the council at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, paid glowing tributes to independence architect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and the martyrs of the freedom and democratic movements.

The party hurriedly held the council to approve and submit a final constitution to the Election Commission by the deadline ending today.

In her address, AL chief Sheikh Hasina asked party workers and supporters to be tolerant to others and not to wreak vengeance on the rivals for years of persecution.

"We are in power, so we have to be patient. We should not go for revenge," she said.

Sheikh Hasina alleged that there was an attempt to destroy the Awami League during the rules of the BNP-Jamaat coalition government and the caretaker government but that attempt was foiled by the active role played by party leaders and workers.

"When I was detained in prison attempts were made to get me out of politics. There were conspiracies. When I was abroad warrant was issued in cases against me," she said.

"I was barred from coming back to the country. I was told that I would be shot at the airport but I said if I was to die then I would rather on the soil of my country," Hasina said.

Highlighting her government's achievements, she said, "We had pledged in the election manifesto to cut prices of essentials and reduce inflation, which we have already fulfilled. Currently, the foreign currency reserve has gone up to seven billion dollar."

"We have taken programme to create employment for an active youth from each family. A pilot project for the youth is also initiated to boost their skills. Besides, the street children are also given preference to be prepared for work," Sheikh Hasina said.Pledging to work for the people and earn their love, she said her party's only goal will be to ensure the welfare of the people.

In an oblique reference to BNP, Hasina said they could not hold the peoples support and their state power amassing illegal wealth of thousands of crores of taka.

"In the past two years you have seen what happened to them," AL chief said. She reiterated her promise to go ahead with the plans to build a digital Bangladesh in line with her election manifesto outlining the steps already taken by her six-month old government towards that end.

"A politician cannot expect anything more than the peoples trust and love . . . I have got what I could expect, and now I want to deliver something for the people. I will work for the welfare of the people if needed at the cost of my blood," she said.

The council session began at 3:00pm, which was followed by a cultural programme.

The last council was held in 2002. This time, 5,253 councillors attended, said office secretary Abdul Mannan Khan.

Abdul Jalil, who resigned from the post of party general secretary for 'being ignored' joined the council at around 11:15am and exchanged pleasant with Sheikh Hasina.

The day long council kicked off amid hoisting of the national flag by Hasina. Ashraf hoisted the party flag. Hasina then formally inaugurated the event by releasing a flock of pigeons and barrages of balloons.

The stage was arranged in front of the main building of the centre. Central leaders were seated there. Guests and other leaders and workers of the party and its affiliated organisations took their seat in front of the stage.

Hasina seated behind a bulletproof glass and delivered her speech from behind a bulletproof shield on the dais.

The Quraan, Geeta, Bible and Tripitok were recited at the beginning of the ceremony and a condolence motion was raised by office secretary Abdul Mannan Khan for those died since the last council.

The welcome speech was given by presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury. Publicity secretary Asaduzzaman Noor conducted the programme.

Artists from the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro led by Ajit Roy sang popular songs that inspired the people during the war of independence from Pakistan in 1971.

Diplomats, political leaders, observers and representatives from all over the country attended the council of the 61-year- old party.

A BNP delegation led by former MP Fazlul Huq Milon attended the inaugural ceremony.

Besides, Workers' Party leader Rashed Khan Menon, MP, president of Communist Party of Bangladesh Manjurul Ahsan Khan and secretary Mujahidul Islam Seleim, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president Hasanul Haq Inu, MP, general secretary of Sammobadi Dal industries minister Dilip Barua and president of Gonotontri Party Mohammad Afzal were among others, present.

Tight security measures were taken in and around the conference centre. Gateways were erected at the entrances of the city wishing the success of the council.

The first session of the council ended with the speech of the AL president at 12.08 pm.

The second session began at 12.30 pm with Sheikh Hasina conducting. Party Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam placed his report first.

In his 112-page report, Syed Ashraful lauded the role of AL leaders and workers, saying that their dedication to the party will be always remembered.

He called upon the party leaders and workers to work unitedly to materialize the dreams of `Digital Bangladesh' as well as `Sonar Bangla'.

Later, seven leaders from seven divisions placed their reports. The leaders are Matiur Rahman, MP, from Dhaka division, ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury from Chittagong, Sheikh Harunur Rashid from Khulna, AHM Khairuzzaman Liton from Rajshahi, Abul Hasanat Abdullah from Barisal and Badaruddin Ahmed Qamran from Sylhet and Abul Mansur Ahmed from Rangpur.

Referring to prices of essentials, Hasina said the government after coming to power brought the prices of essential commodities within the purchasing capacity of the common people as per its election pledge.

The Prime Minister said steps have been taken to make computer and technological education mandatory at the secondary level by 2013 and at the primary level by 2021 with a view to building a `Digital Bangladesh'.

A total of 5,253 councilors took part in the election of their new leadership while some 10,000 delegates and several thousand distinguished guests including professionals and diplomats were present at the inaugural session of the council.