Syed Ashraful Islam has resigned

According to sources, Syed Ashraf spoke to close people about this before and after his resignation. Well-wishers requested him to withdraw his resignation but he did not do so. He told his close friends that although no one is solely responsible for the collapse of the party, someone has to take responsibility for it. And as the general secretary of the party, this responsibility rests on him. So he resigned. According to sources, these things have also been mentioned in the resignation letter.

Incidentally, the candidates supported by 14 parties led by Awami League were defeated in the four city corporation elections held on June 15. One of the reasons for the loss is party strife and conflict between grassroots leaders and the powerful. After that, the candidate supported by Awami League lost in the Gazipur City Corporation election on July 6, even after campaigning with all the party's strength. Internal conflict is also blamed for this. Party general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam had no visible activity in the five city corporation elections. Leaders and activists at various levels became angry against him. His resignation was also demanded. As the party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is out of the country, the angry people are silent, but as soon as she returns, they become vocal again. A presidium member made a direct complaint against Ashraf to Sheikh Hasina. Leaders and activists inside and outside the party were already angry about Ashraf's inaction. In view of this, Ashraf went to meet the party president at her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday. There he spoke privately with Sheikh Hasina. According to sources, Ashraf submitted his resignation immediately.

Angry activists have a lot of complaints against Syed Ashraf. When you call him, he does not pick up the phone. Even in a meeting of the cabinet, Sheikh Hasina pointed out that Ashraf did not pick up the phone of party leader and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Media workers also have the same complaint against him. He did not pick up the phone or comment on anything. Although he is the general secretary and spokesperson of Awami League, the statement of the party is not available from him on most of the issues. The level of complaints of party leaders is much higher. Many leaders and activists have the pain of not having the general secretary by their side in times of danger, being inactive in party and organizational work, and even going to his house day after day without meeting him. Moreover, even though he is the minister of important ministries such as local government, national development and cooperatives, he does not hold office. There are many complaints about this.

Awami League presidium member Kazi Zafarulsnah, when asked over the phone about the resignation of the party's general secretary, said that he did not know anything about it. He told Jugantar that he heard about the resignation only from the journalists. After that he called Ashraf several times. But he did not pick up the phone. However, while talking to this reporter on Saturday afternoon, he said that necessary changes will be made in the party to strengthen the Trinamool leaders and workers. The party president will take any tough decision. Zafarulsnah said that Sheikh Hasina is taking a strong attitude for the necessary changes in party restructuring. He said that these changes will happen in the next two days. Rejecting the possibility of a special conference, Zafarul Snah said that the demands of the activists will be met.

The party's joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif claimed to Yugantar that no such incident had happened.

Incidentally, Syed Ashraful Islam was elected general secretary in the 24 July 2009 conference of Awami League. Before this, he played a strong role as acting general secretary during 1-11. Sheikh Hasina started the liberation movement. The Acting President together with the late President Zilsnur Rahman saved the party from disintegration and organized the party well. Above all, he led from the front to free Sheikh Hasina from jail. He played an eye-catching role in the December 29, 2008 election and contributed to the absolute victory. Then on December 31, 2012, Syed Ashraf was elected general secretary in the last conference of the party.

Awami League sources say that party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has a negative attitude about accepting the resignation letter. But an influential part of the party wants to remove Ashraf.

Ashraf's predecessor, the late Abdul Jalil, also did not have a happy end as General Secretary. He was released from prison at the end of 11-11 but never returned to duty. Later in the 2009 conference Syed Ashraf was elected General Secretary in his place.