Rashed, Kashem new President, GS of America-Bangladesh Press Club

A new committee of America-Bangladesh Press Club (ABPC) has been formed in the United States. Rashed Ahmed (Channel I) President and Mohammad Abul Kashem (Bangladesh Pratidin) General Secretary have been elected. The committee was formed at an emergency meeting of the ABPC on Thursday evening, January 6, local time.

A three-member election commission was formed to complete the ABPC elections by December 31. Poppy Chowdhury, an influential member of the Election Commission, resigned after the commission failed miserably in the election within the stipulated time. Chief Election Commissioner Mishuk Selim announced a committee of his choice on January 1 without taking any steps to fill the vacancy as per the constitution which was in no way acceptable and did not agree with the constitution. Due to intense dissatisfaction among the general members, it was decided to form a new committee in the emergency general meeting held on January 6 in a series of emergency meetings. An 11-member committee was announced at the meeting, electing Rashed Ahmed, a US correspondent for Channel I, as president and Mohammad Abul Kashem, a senior staff reporter of North American edition of Bangladesh Pratidin, as general secretary.

Other members of the committee are: Vice-Presidents Journalist Tapan Chowdhury and Subrata Chowdhury, Finance Secretary-Zaman Tapan (Writer-Journalist), Joint General Secretary-Shah Farukur Rahman (BDYork), Organizing Secretary-Azimuddin Ovi (Jamuna TV), Publicity Secretary Writer -Journalist Shahidullah Kaiser, Executive Member Bir Muktijoddha Lablu Ansar (Bangladesh Pratidin), Kanu Dutta (ATN Bangla) and Writer-Journalist Rajub Bhowmik.

At the meeting, annual fee of the members was fixed at $ 50 instead of $ 100 and it was decided to give the membership to the working journalists only after regular application. In that light, Alim Khan Akash, CEO of Biswabangla Twentyfour TV has been included as a full member. The meeting was also attended by Pratap Chandra Sheel from Boston and Subrata Chowdhury from Atlantic City. Poppy Chowdhury and Tapan Chowdhury from Connecticut agreed with the decision taken at the meeting. A number of ABPC members, including Shahidullah Kaiser, Zaman Tapan, Azimuddin Ovi and Alim Khan Akash, have been declared unconstitutional and all concerned have been asked not to be misled.

It was also decided in the general meeting to expand the scope of the newly formed committee if necessary. Officials of the newly elected America-Bangladesh Press Club said that preparations are being made for the inauguration ceremony of the new committee soon.
Meanwhile, the officials of the newly elected America-Bangladesh Press Club have expressed intense anger and hatred towards those who tried to occupy America-Bangladesh Press Club unjustly.
They said that the election of America-Bangladesh Press Club (ABPC) was to be held by 31st December. According to Article 2.1 of the Constitution, the last general meeting unanimously decided to hold the elections by 31 December 2021 as there is a provision to hold the elections by 31 (30) November. However, the two members of the Election Commission disregarded the above decision without any consideration and the appointment was made on January 8.

However, according to Article 1.4.1 of the Constitution, no member has a term after December 31 and no right to vote. Poppy Chowdhury, an influential member of the Election Commission, resigned in protest. In view of his resignation, no one was appointed to the vacant post as per the norms (with three members as per Section 2.2).

The President of the outgoing committee informed the ABPC Election Commission in writing but did not receive any response. In view of such arbitrariness, 'Rashed-Kashem Parishad' has withdrawn from the election. On that occasion, the so-called two-member Election Commission (?) Declared some of its favorites as uncontested winners in a letter dated January 1. The letter was signed by two members of the Election Commission, Mishuk Selim and Jahed Sharif. However, according to the constitution of the club, there can be no election without a full three-member election commission.