The ruling Awami League (AL), country’s oldest political party, has completed all necessary preparations to hold its 20th council in Dhaka in a festive mood from today.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the Awami League president, will inaugurate the council at historic Suhrawardy Udyan at 10am.
The capital wore a festive look as roads have been decorated with colourful banners, gates, lights and giant screens. The successes of the Awami League government in various sectors have been highlighted in banners and festoons.
The party built a boat-shaped stage at the venue to hold the council.
Awami League secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap said the council would start with slogan, ‘Marching on the highway of development - now is the time for Bangladesh to hold its head high’.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have already taken foolproof security measures at the venue as well as the entire city so that no unpleasant incident takes place.
According to a party source, a total of 6,570 councillors and 6,570 delegates will take part in the council. Leaders of political parties and representatives of various professions will take part in the inaugural session of the council.
More than 50 representatives of different political parties from 12 countries, including India, China, Russia, Nepal, Canada, Australia and Italy, are expected to attend the council.
The ruling party also invited its rival BNP’s chairperson Khaleda Zia and secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to attend the council.
AL national committee has approved 26.5mn taka as budget for the council from the party’s own fund.
Meanwhile, the size the Awami League central working committee will increase with the inclusion of more members through the council. The party proposes to increase the number to 81 from the existing 73.
According to the proposal, the number of presidium members will rise to 19 from the existing 15, while that of joint secretaries to four from the existing three. Besides, there will be eight organising secretaries in place of seven and two more members to be inducted in the working committee.

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