Awami League may introduce some new posts including that of an executive president through the national council on July 24.

Currently, its 73-member central committee is composed of a president, a general secretary, a 13-member presidium, three joint general secretaries, seven organisational secretaries, 19 departmental secretaries, a treasurer, two deputy secretaries and 26 general members.

AL President Sheikh Hasina is considering some changes in the party constitution to increase that number and restructure the committee. An executive president's post may be created to let her free herself of party responsibilities and devote more time and energy to the prime ministerial job.

Hasina on several occasions said she wants a group of leaders to manage the organisation and another to run the administration. Bearing it in mind, she may choose some dedicated leaders, mostly out of the council of ministers, for key party positions.

The AL constitution prescribes that councillors elect president, presidium members, general secretary, departmental secretaries and treasurer at a national council every three years. But in practice, the councillors leave the election to the above posts to the AL president's discretion.

Some sources said the party may opt for a spokesperson's post along with two general secretaries. A source close to Hasina said if new posts are created through amendments to the charter, the AL chief's sister Sheikh Rehana may get a special position. "She [Rehana] might be made executive president or a member of the presidium," said the source. He however added there's no possibility of having two general secretaries.

Meanwhile, a number of party leaders on Thursday demanded that those who attempted to have an AL minus Hasina in the name of reforms after 1/11 be identified and left out of the new committee altogether. Kamal Ahmed Mazumder MP, Awami Swechchasebak League President AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Khizir Hayat Lizu, Anwar Hossain, Iqbal Hossain Apu and Akhtar Hossain are among those who spoke against the “reformists”.

Talking to The Daily Star, some AL leaders said this sort of call is not good for the organisation as it is meant to divide the rank and file ahead of the council. The high command must not take decisions that could lead to even deeper divisions amongst the ranks, said a leader preferring not to be quoted. He said the government will have to see off many challenges including fight against militancy. Division would only make matters complicated.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the AL president's political office in Dhanmondi is getting festive with leaders from across the country joining in the preparations for the long-awaited council. Many have been lobbying the central leaders close to Hasina for a berth in the next committee. Sub-committees formed for the council are meeting every day at the Dhanmondi office. Over 5,000 councillors are expected to attend the convention on July 24 to elect a new leadership for a three-year term.

-Daily Star