Who are AL’s new faces?

The enthusiasm among the leaders and activists to join the council at Suhrawardy Udyan was outpouring as seen at several party offices in Dhaka yesterday. Officials at the party president’s Dhanmondi office were struggling to manage the crowd as councillors came to collect entry pass for the event. Festivity also touched the supporters at every corner of the city as the offices and the nearby streets were illuminated and decorated. Above all, everyone was talking about the possible new faces to be introduced as top leaders of the oldest and largest party of the country. Speculations suggest that Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of the party chief, and two other members of the new generation of Bangabandhu’s family may get important posts in the party. The name of Presidium Member Obaidul Quader also came up in discussions as the possible general secretary of the party. Party chief Sheikh Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana will take part in the council as a councillor from the Dhaka city south unit while Joy from Rangpur. There is another hoard of new faces being discussed as potential to get a place in the central committee. Of them, 15-20 are women, according to some party insiders. Among the potential faces, many are former leaders of the party’s student affiliate Chhatra League including Bahadur Bepari, Ajay Kar Khokan, Liakat Shikder, Nazrul Islam Babu, AHM Masud Dulal, Sajjad Hossain, Delwar Hossain, Mazharul Islam Manik, Ishak Ali Khan Panna, Marufa Akter Popy, Saifuzzaman Shikhor, Balaram Poddar. The much-talked women leaders and activists who are expected to be elevated to the central committee include Apu Ukil, Kohali Kuddus Mukti, Sabina Akter Tuhin and Tarana Halim.