The 22nd national council of the ruling Awami League (AL) has started with a pledge to build a Smart Bangladesh by 2041.
AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the council by releasing pigeons around 10.30am on Saturday at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.
Sheikh Hasina first hoisted the national flag and later AL General Secretary along with other leaders hoisted the party’s flag.
Around 7,000 councilors and over one lakh leaders and workers from across the country joined the national council.
Obaidul Quader will present the party’s annual report. AL Presidium Member and reception committee convener Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim will deliver the welcome address.
The first session of the council will end with the speech of Sheikh Hasina.
There will be a break for lunch and prayers after the end of the inaugural session. Then the council session will be held in the auditorium of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB). Party's president and general secretary will be elected in the session.
Previous councils were held in two days but this time council is being held on a single day to minimize costs.
The 21st council of the party was held on December 20-21. The budget of the last council was Taka 3.43 crore. The national committee of the party has approved Taka 3.13 crore for this 22nd national council.