Dhaka: Newly elected Awami League Presidium member Nurul Islam Nahid on Monday said reorganising their party ahead of the next general election is the main challenge for its new committee formed through its 20th council.

‘Tidying up our party ahead of the next election is now our main challenge. The new committee will work for reorganising party and thus make it ready for the polls,’ he said.

Nahid, also the Education Minister, came up with the remarks while talking to reporters at the Secretariat after attending the weekly cabinet meeting.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was reelected president of the ruling Awami League unopposed for the eighth consecutive time, while Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader elected its general secretary in the party’s council.

Later, Sheikh Hasina announced the names of 16 presidium members, four joint general secretaries and treasurer just after being elected the party president.

Nurul Islam Nahid got entry into the 16-member Awami League presidium for the first time.

Nahid expressed his gratitude to the Awami League president for making him a presidium member. ‘Sheikh Hasina has entrusted me with a big responsibility. I’ll try to perform my duty with sincerity valuing the confidence she has kept in me.’

Besides, he said, he will continue his efforts as a minister to maintain the country’s development pace.

Meanwhile, officials of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry greeted Obaidul Quader with flowers for being elected Awami League general secretary as he went to his office around 10:30am.

Later, he joined the Cabinet meeting.

Before the formal start of the meeting, Quader exchanged greetings with the Cabinet members.

Talking to reporters after emerging from the meeting, Quader said, ‘I thank you all. I can’t say anything more here, as I’m going to formally talk to journalists at Dhanmondi party office.’

As journalists approached outgoing Awami League general secretary and Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam for his comment, he moved fast towards his vehicle saying, ‘I don’t want to say anything today (Monday). I’ll talk to you another day.’