Dhaka: The Ruling Awami League may induct many new faces in its next central committee to be formed through the party’s council as it is apparently eager to pass the torch to its next generation of leaders.

The 21st national council of the party is likely to be held in October this year, AL sources said, reports the UNB.

Senior leaders to grassroots-level activists across the country are eagerly waiting for the Awami League council to see their new leaders.

They are actively attending various party programmes as well as closely communicating with other leaders to grab the post of party general secretary.

The recent illness of current general secretary Obaidul Quader has increased the possibility of a newly elected leader for the post, according to party insiders.

Many party senior leaders said that it will be tough for Quader to maintain the general secretary post as well as the ministry as he will need more time to recover.

A presidium member who wished to remain anonymous said it will be a wise decision for Quader to take a long break from these responsibilities.

He added that the change can bring something good for the party.

The much-discussed issue over the council is regarding the post of general secretary as everyone is guessing whether Obaidul Quader will be retained or replaced.

The two joint secretaries and two organizational secretaries are the most possible candidates; they were not nominated for the 11th parliamentary election race for monitoring the polls.

Joint general secretaries Abdur Rahman and Jahangir Kabir Nanak and organisational secretaries BM Mozamel Haque and AFM Bahauddin Nasim were said to be four aspirant leaders.     

Joint secretary general Abdur Rahman said their party leaders are waiting for the Awami League Council eagerly.

‘Our leaders are eagerly waiting for the council. Party President Sheikh Hasina has already expressed her consent for the party council at the end of the year as she wants to hold the council in time,’ he said.

Abdur Rahman also said, ‘We’ll start our activity in full swing for the council after the upazila elections. The announcement of the council has brought a festive mood among the leaders.’

Bahauddin Nasim said the Awami League council is a significant event in the country as it is one of biggest political parties in the subcontinent.

He said the council is expected to be held in every three years according to the party constitution. ‘The council is very important for promoting new leaders. The council is really important for increasing the organisational strength of the party,’ Nasim added.

Acting general secretary Mahbubul Haq Hanif and AL presidium member and former food minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzak are another possible duo to be elected as general secretary.

Councillors from far and wide of the country will chose the new leadership for the next three years in later half of the current year.

The councillors usually elect the president and general secretary while the party chief then nominates people to other positions.

The party’s last Council was held on October 23, 2016.