After seven years, the council of Barishal city unit of Awami League was held at Bangabandhu Udyan yesterday afternoon.

For city unit, AKM Zahangir was selected president while Barishal City Corporation (BCC) Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah was named general secretary.

In his speech as chief guest, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader said, “We do not need opportunists and evildoers, who eat away all development and achievements like termites.”

“Awami League is the organisation of sacrifices, of dedicated workers and leaders. Drug peddlers, terrorists and corrupted people have no space in this party,” he added.

Quader said, “Leadership cannot be availed through setting up billboards and banners with photos, it can be achieved only by taking a place in people’s hearts.”

On BNP, he said, “They failed both in movement and election, and turned into an organisation of complainers.”

AL advisory board member Amir Hossain Amu inaugurated the council and district AL president Abul Hasnat Abdullah spoke as chief guest.

AL Joint General Secretary Abdur Rahman, Organising Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Law Secretary and Minister SM Rejaul Karim and International Affairs Secretary Dr Shammi Akhter addressed the council, while Golam Abbas Chowdhury presided over the programme.