Mohiuddin, Danu Ctg city AL president, secy
When party's Education and Human Resource Secretary M Khalequzzaman proposed the names of Mohiuddin Chowdhury and Inamul Haq Danu for the two key posts at the crowded auditorium of Engineers' Institute at around 5:15pm, thousands of councillors greeted them amid deafening cheers.
Health and Environment Secretary Khorshed Alam Sujan seconded the proposal that was passed unanimously by the councillors.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. More than 25000 leaders, activists and supporters from different party folds of all the 41 wards attended the conference from morning and remained there until new leadership was pronounced.
The auditorium and its outside premises turned into a festive place throughout the day.
The party high-ups in the conference also formed a four-member committee comprising with incumbent city unit President MA Mannan, former lawmaker Ishaque Meah and newly elected president and general secretary to form a full-fledged city committee within one month.
Sources said the long-awaited change in the party leadership could be possible following last minute's intervention by party Chief and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina.
Incumbent President Mannan was adamant to lodge his candidature for the top post until Monday.
He however retreated back from his resolute stance after Central Organising Secretary Bir Bahadur MP held an emergency meeting at the directives of Hasina with Mannan, Mohiuddin and other top city leaders at the residence of Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu the same night.
In the meeting Bir Bahadur conveyed Mannan the sentiment and wish of Hasina and asked him to quit the presidential post.
He also assured Mannan on behalf of the party chief of proper and dignified position in future, sources added.
Earlier in the morning Presidium Member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim MP inaugurated the conference where Presidium Member Begum Motia Chowdhury was present as chief guest.
MA Mannan presided over the session.
Bir Bahadur, Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Chittagong District Bar Association General Secretary Ratan Kumar Roy, Bangladesher Communist Party leader Shah Alam, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal leader Abul Kalam Azad, AL leaders MA Salam and Sujon addressed the inaugural session.