Awami League abuzz with talk of new president hopefuls

The term of Bangladesh's 20th President Abdul Hamid will end on April 21 this year. With about four months to go to the end of Hamid's term, the ruling Awami League is abuzz with speculations about the next possible president. Several names were heard in recent conversations among Awami League leaders at the party president's office in Dhanmondi. Among the names were President Abdul Hamid, who is allowed to serve another term by the constitution, Awami League's former general secretary and Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, LGRD Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain and Prime Minister's International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi. Awami League policy makers were unwilling to comment on this issue. The president is elected by parliament for a five-year term from among nominated candidates placed by political parties. A presidium member of Awami League, wishing to remain anonymous, told the Dhaka Tribune that Awami League was in fact quite satisfied about the current president's activities and his clean image in the public eye. He also added that alongside Abdul Hamid, presidium member Syed Ashraful Islam was a favourite among party members for the position. Another presidium member of Awami League, also a cabinet member, told the Dhaka Tribune on condition of anonymity that the party had yet to discuss finding a new president. He said directions may come at the next meeting of the Awami League central working committee, scheduled to be held on January 6 at the prime minister's official residence.