Syed Ashraf takes leave to holiday in London

After passing the baton of the Awami League's general secretary, Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam is going to holiday in London.

His Assistant Personal Secretary (APS) AKM Shazzad Hossain said Ashraf has sought a 15-day leave to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for family reasons.

Shazzad said Ashraf's wife who is in London is unwell.

A ministry official said the minister is scheduled for an official tour of Vietnam in early November.

But under the present circumstances, if his leave is accepted, he will head for London on Friday.

Syed Ashraf avoided the media following Monday's Cabinet meeting after the party's National Council where Obaidul Quader was appointed new general secretary, a position he held for the last seven years.

Syed Ashraf was entrusted with the duties of general secretary when central leaders including party chief Hasina was put behind bars during the 2007-08 emergency rule.

Son of Bangabandhu's close associate Syed Nazrul Islam, he along with late president Zillur Rahman shepherded the party during those troubled times.

After two consecutive terms as general secretary, he has now been made a Presidium member.

Ashraf had proposed the name of Obaidul Quader as General Secretary during the Awami League's 20th National Council.