DHAKA: Significant changes are on the cards in leadership of ultra-right Jamaat-e-Islami party against the backdrop of most top brass of the party in jail with war crimes charges.   

The second-tier of the leadership has been brought to the forefront who are comparatively junior to those who are now imprisoned.

Party insiders said young leaders under age cap of 50 with Islami Chhatra Shibir background have more “clean image” than the oldies are taking the ladder.

Jammaat activists said Jamaat’s Publicity Secretary Tasnim Alam is likely to be the next Ameer while Dhaka Metropolitan Secretary Hamidur Rahman Azad MP and Nurul Islam Bulbul are on the race for the position of the Secretary General.   

There are some 772 senior leaders in the party who were born in the post-independence period. Of them, some 223 are capable to lead the party and participate in the next general election.

Party insiders said, former Shibir leaders will sit for a meeting soon to devise the next course of action in terms of leadership.

"They are discussing the issue among themselves," the source said.
A former Chhatra Shibir leader told banglanews24.com.bd said they wanted to see more junior leaders to come to the forefront as the war crime issue is being used in a planned way to weaken the party image.  
When contacted, Tasnim Alam said change may take place in the party if time and situation requires. “Shura Committee, the highest policy making body of the party, will take decision for any change,” he said.  

Many party leaders were in hideouts to avoid arrest as 77 district-level senior leaders were accused of war crimes.

“This has open up the chance for the leaders with clean image,” said a leader.

However, acting Ameer of Jamaat ATM Azharul Islam brushed aside any chance of immediate change in leadership.

He said, “Changes will be made in the party but it will take time. Party activists may be excited after the arrest of top leaders. We are working to overcome existing the situation.”

He also denied the rumor of conflict over leadership in the party.   

BDST: 1845 HRS, AUGUST 9, 2010.