Dhaka: Ruling Awami League (AL) leader Syed Ashraful Islam is perhaps going to be headlined again as he is reportedly resigning from the post of party’s general secretary, three days after his exit from the LGRD and co-operatives ministry.

Ashraf, who is now a minister-without-portfolio, was said to be planning to step down as the AL general secretary on the next party council, which is expected to be held on December this year, according to party insiders and sources close to him.

Syed Ashraf, however, did not comment on this when asked by NTV Online on Saturday.

‘It’s not the time for commenting on the issue. I won’t talk about this right now,’ said Ashraf.

He also chose to remain silent when asked about if there was any special reason behind his removal from the LGRD and cooperative ministry.

Expatriates' welfare and overseas employment minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain took the charge of LGRD and cooperative ministry alongside his current portfolio following a notice issued by the cabinet division on 9 June.

A close acquaintance of Syed Ashraf said, on the condition of not to be named, his rumoured decision of quitting from AL general secretary post may have no relation with his removal from ministry.

Even before losing his ministry, the former LGRD and cooperative minister had expressed his unwillingness to continue as general secretary on May this year when he was on China tour.

He had reportedly argued that he expected new leadership emerge in the party.

Many in the AL think that Syed Ashraf’s negligence to both his ministerial and party duties might have resulted in his removal from LGRD ministry.

One central Awami League secretary, however, thinks otherwise. He said, seeking anonymity, such rumours are wrong as about 80 per cent work of LGRD ministry was implemented this year, and this would not have happened if there had been any negligence on Syed Ashraf’s part.

Many AL leaders also do not want accept the claim that Syed Ashraf was politically inactive.