His Assistant Personal Secretary (APS) AKM Shazzad Hossain said Ashraf has applied for a 15-day leave to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for family reasons. Syed Ashraf avoided the media following Monday's Cabinet meeting after the National Council where Obaidul Quader was appointed new general secretary, a position Ashraf held for the last seven years. 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. 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 council.

Source: bd News24 October 24, 2016 17:10 UTC