Syed Ashraf’s sacking is an ‘ominous sign’, say senior Awami League leaders

Awami League leaders say General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam’s sacking from the Ministry of LGRD and Cooperatives has stunned them.

They are keeping quiet on the matter ‘fearing consequences’, they say.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina removed Ashraf on Thursday and put Expatriate’s Welfare Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, her daughter’s father-in-law, in charge of LGRD.

Several members of the party’s Central Working Committee separately told bdnews24.com, seeking anonymity, that it was a matter entirely between party chief Hasina and Ashraf.

But an organising secretary suggested the move be viewed positively.

“The change has been done ahead of the 11th parliamentary polls,” he said but declining to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

However, another senior party leader said he suspected foul play.

“Tajuddin [Ahmed] was removed then (after independence) and now it’s Ashraf,” he said.

“Doesn’t seem like a good sign,” the leader said, preferring anonymity.

A senior official at the Prime Minister’s Office told bdnews24.com: “He (Ashraf) never enjoyed his ministry.”

Several ruling party leaders believe the prime minister decided to sack Ashraf after speaking with him.

They say he would not have been removed had he expressed his desire to continue.

Media reports suggested Hasina was angry with Ashraf, virtually the number two in Awami League, for not taking part in ECNEC meeting.

Ashraf told reporters not to listen to rumours.

He came out smiling from a meeting with the prime minister at her office on Thursday, PMO officials said.

A central committee member told bdnews24.com that it was better not to comment on anything related to Hasina or Syed Ashraf.

Awami League leaders say Syed Ashraf follows the prime minister’s orders to the letter and there is no scope to question his loyalty to the party chief.

“It’s a matter between siblings,” was how an Awami League organising secretary put it. “It’s best not to say anything about it.”