Syed Ashraful Islam became so active in Awami League politics as soon as he was made the acting general secretary that his role and political prudence in getting party president Sheikh Hasina released from detention and taking the party to power came up for discussions prominently. It was a story of the period of last caretaker government. Before that although he held the position of joint secretary of the party he had very little scope to work. After that on July 24, 2009 in the national conference of the party he was relieved of the ‘acting’ charge and elected to party’s second highest post geral secretary. Next time, in the conference of December 29, 2012 Sheikh Hasina again selected him as the general secretary. And again he played effective role in installing the party to power. There is no second such instance for a general secretary of any political party in Bangladesh. Even after all these, there are a lot of allegations of leaders and workers of the party against him. But the allegations are of very nominal type. For example, an allegation against him is that he is lazy, sleep-prone. His personal staff members mostly tell the appointment-seekers that he is sleeping. Thus it goes among the people that Syed Ashraf is sleep-prone. Syed Ashraf is facing some other allegations also. He allegedly does not meet party men. He is introvert. He is absent from the party office and media. Capitalising the above allegations, his opponent faction has become active. But they are yet to succeed in their bid to cause any harm to him. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thinks Syed Ashraf as matchless. He is second to none to the PM considering his political acumen, merit and specially honesty. A presidium member of Awami League said the allegation that many leaders and workers of the party cannot reach Syed Ashraf is true. But who are they? They are lobbyists. Syed Ashraf is a modern and scientific minded person. He is unparallel for his political commitment and honesty. Another presidium member said one of the qualities of Syed Ashraf is that he does not harm anybody. It is true that he does not make much physical movement. But he works for the people and country at large silently. He further said not a single person who criticizes Syed Ashraf is honest, sincere and broad minded. All of them are mischievous. Sources said, for this reason, being influential central leaders of the party, many cannot cope with Ashraf. It is learnt that some members of the party presidium, one joint general secretary and few leaders of presidium are trying to damage the image of Syed Ashraf. Sometimes they proposed for removal of Ashraf from the post of General Secretary by calling special conference. The vested quarters demanded for relieving Ashraf from the party when AL-supported candidates were defeated in four city corporations election. But it was not possible by them to deteriorate relationship between Ashraf and Sheikh Hasina. When asked about different allegations against him, Syed Ashraful Islam said smiling, “What can I say about the matter. I shoulder my responsibility with sincerity as a General Secretary.” About opponents, he said, “These are natural in case of politics. Go ahead facing the obstacles.” He also said, there are politics in every sector not in the field. Politics is a team work. A source close to the Prime Minister said, Sheikh Hasina herself praised Syed Ashraf for his political farsightedness. There is no second alternative of Ashraf to the prime minister. There are many reasons behind such a position of Syed Ashraf to the party president. Sources said there are three main reasons – overthrowing Hefajat Islam from Dhaka city on May 5 last and positive role played by him during the last January 5 elections. Political analysts said, Syed Ashraf played the role like a magician for overthrowing Hefajat Islam from Dhaka city. He brought strength for administration by calling press conference which created panic among the leaders-workers of Hefajat-i-Islami. It is learnt that after the press conference the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told Ashraf could not they be handled softly? I (PM) sent a representative to ‘hujur’. In reply, Syed Ashraf said that there is no opportunity to give them any concession. After that the success of January 5 national election was achieved. Syed Ashraf has overcome many similar incidents through his intellect endeavor. He also proved many successes for establishing international relations before and after the January 5 election. Sheikh Hasina considers that Syed Ashraf had showed cent percent success in important discussion with UN Envoy Oscar Fernandez Taranco. Sources said last year a meeting was held at Ganabhaban with grassroots workers of the party. It is learnt that Syed Ashraf delivered speech for half an hour. Sheikh Hasina was supposed to address the meeting after that but she ended the meeting saying, “After Ashraf’s speech I have nothing to say. Just immediately after the meeting she expressed her appreciation about Syed Ashraf to her close associates saying that Awami League cannot properly utilise a talent leader like Ashraf. Another source said Ashraf gained the trust of Sheikh Hasina and for this he does not face big trouble though he has rival. While talking about his honesty, a presidium member of the party said he became minister two times but yet not get red passport. Almost all of the lawmaker took the opportunity of tax free vehicle but his is exception. Leaders and activists are now forgetting the allegation of inactiveness against Syed Ashraf. He is now passing a busy time for organizational works compared to any time of the past. He is now going to party office more than previous time. His presences also increased in the secretarial office. His movement has also been visible from last Eid. He has been conducting scheduled and unscheduled meetings with party men at Awami League’s Dhanmondi office, also visiting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina frequently. “Syed Ashraf is determined to finish district conference by December after getting strict instruction from Sheikh Hasina,” according to party source. He was the chief guest of Thakurgaon district council and also scheduled to chief guest of Joypurhat district council today. He will attend several district councils in Dhaka, Khulna, Sylhet, Chittagong division, according to party source. He is now continuing to sit in party office.
No comments:
Post a Comment