Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will sit with the party’s full Central Working Committee in person on Saturday for the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak in early 2020.
Several central leaders yesterday told Dhaka Tribune the meeting was very important as several crucial issues, including the upcoming national council of the party and commodity prices, would be discussed.
During the pandemic, Sheikh Hasina sat with a limited number of party leaders while maintaining health protocols, but Saturday’s meeting will be open for all members of the ALCWC who have Covid negative certificates.
According to a party press release signed by the Awami League Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, the meeting will be held at 5:30pm at Ganabhaban, the official residence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has requested all members of the committee to be present at the meeting and follow appropriate health guidelines.
According to party insiders, the party chief will discuss preparations for the next national elections and the party’s central council, as well as strategies to tackle the price hike of essentials in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Seeking anonymity, several leaders said that the party was concerned over rising prices since it affects the people and may create resentment.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune yesterday afternoon, Presidium Member Dr Abdur Razzaque said: “This meeting is very important for us as the national election and the central council are approaching.”
Dr Razzaque, also the agriculture minister, added that the recent national and international political issues would also be discussed in the meeting.
AFM Bahauddin Nasim, a joint general secretary of the ruling party, said: “We hope to hear from our leader Sheikh Hasina how she tackled the Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh smoothly, whereas some developed countries are still struggling.
“We want to bolster party activities ahead of the next general elections slated for the end of next year. Moreover, our central committee’s next council is also due next December. I think all these matters will be discussed in the meeting.”
The lawmaker from Comilla also noted that the committees of some associated organizations had already expired.