Ashraful Islam in line for Bangladesh presidency?

Syed Ashraful Islam, who was elected a presidium member of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League party on Sunday, could be in line for the country's presidency, media reports said on Monday.

The two-time former General Secretary of the party and the son of Syed Nazrul Islam -- the acting President of Bangladesh in absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971 -- will succeed Abdul Hamid as the country's President, Awami League members told Dhaka Tribune.

According to a councillor from Kishorganj, Ashraful Islam, Minister of Public Administration, will be made the next President of the country.

"It is 99 per cent certain that Ashraf will be the next president of Bangladesh," he said.

Shubhash Chandra Joy Dhar, a party member, citing a source, said he has also learnt this.

Incumbent President Abdul Hamid became the acting President of the country on March 14, 2013, after the death of then President Zillur Rahman.

Hamid was elected as 22nd President of Bangladesh on April 22, 2013.

--IANS

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