SHEIKH MUJIBUR RAHMAN CAUTIONS AGAINST CONSPIRACY
TRANSFER OF POWER EARLY
Inaugural speech on February 15, 1971, at a joint meeting of the
National Assembly
and
Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman asserted in
The Awami League President was inaugurating a joint
meeting of the National Assembly and East Pakistan Assembly Members elected on
Awami League tickets at the
Addressing the
meeting Sheikh Mujibur Rahman expressed his hope that President Yahya who had
so long fulfilled all his pledges to the nation would not listen to "
conspirators " who, according to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, were trying to
create internal and international problems and chaos and confusions in the
country in order to nullify the result of the elections.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman expressed his indignation at
the fact that the Government had briefed six Ambassadors of foreign countries
on international tension, but did not discuss it with the country's majority
party which was going to take over the responsibility of running the country
shortly. He thought that the Government should have talked with the majority in
the matter.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman alleged that a conspiracy was
being hatched to delay the transfer of power and create various problems in the
meantime so that when Awami League would come to power it would become
unpopular.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said that the conspirators had
forgotten that this was 1971 and not 1954 or 1952. He recalled that in 1968-69
when "we were in prison ", the workers and peasants of this country
had brought down Ayub Regime. Now that " we are outside the prison,"
they should understand what could happen.
Happy over summoning of National Assembly
Referring to the summoning of the National Assembly
Session Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said that they had been happy at this, because
they would now be in a position to sit and discuss and pass the constitution.
He asserted that only the elected representatives of the people had the right
to frame the constitution. He said that none would be able to impose a
constitution with the strength of a gun.
Sheikh Mujib called upon the members of the
Provincial Assembly to mobilise public opinion in support of Six and Eleven
Points in their respective constituencies when the National Assembly will
deliberate on the draft constitution bill. He reminded the National and
Provincial Assembly members that they had taken a public oath to fulfil the
pledge made to the people.
People want food, shelter
He reminded the MNAs and MPAs that the people of
Bangla Desh voted for them as they had a programme and principle. He said,
"They voted for you since they want to live, they want food, shelter,
cloth and medicine. They want to live like civilised men." He said that he
demanded autonomy for achieving these very goals. He said that this autonomy
was given a shape by Awami League in its Six Point Programme and by students in
their Eleven Point programme.
Referring to his talks with various political
leaders from
About his talks with Mr. Bhutto " who came as
representative of Punjab and
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman wondered what was there to
discuss on Six Points which were an old issue. He recalled the repressions that
had been let loose by Ayub Regime to suppress the Six Point Movement and
reminded that people gave a verdict in favour of Six Points in a
"referendum."
Stating that Six Points were for all provinces of
Warning against bureaucrats
He alleged that some bureaucrats were conspiring to
unite West Pakistan for bringing about a confrontation with
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was also bitter about a
section of bureaucrats for their alleged collaboration with political leaders
opposed to Awami League before the elections. He alleged that these bureaucrats
had visited those leaders' houses with funds brought from
At the outset of his speech Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
remembered those who laid down their lives for the sake of the people including
the martyrs of the Language Movement. He recalled that on this day two years
ago Sergeant Zahurul Huq, a co-accused in the Agartala Conspiracy Case, was
shot dead while in detention.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman announced at the meeting that
the draft constitution being prepared by the party would be discussed in a
meeting of the party MNAs to be held on February 27.
Mujib authorised to take any decision
The joint meeting of Awami League MNAs and MPAs
which was also attended by Central and Provincial Working Committee members, by
a resolution, bestowed upon Sheikh Mujibur Rahman absolute authority to decide
any course of action for achieving the goals of the party.
The resolution was moved by East Pakistan Awami
League Vice-President Syed Nazrul Islam. It was supported by Khandker Mushtaq
Ahmed, another Vice-President of East Pakistan Awami League.
Socialist economy under democracy
Syed Nazrul Islam speaking at the meeting said that
his party would introduce socialist economy under a democratic political
system.
Syed Nazrul Islam said that his party got the
mandate of the people in favour of six points and also for establishing a
society free from all sorts of exploitations. He observed that in achieving the
goals for a changed society many odds might come. " But we must overcome
them," he added.
Democracy and one Pakistan
Khandker Mushtaq Ahmed speaking at the meeting said
that his party believed in democracy and one
Criticising the delay in summoning the National
Assembly and in transfer of power Khandker Mushtaq said that according to
democratic principles the majority party used to form the government just after
the announcement of the election results. In this regard he cited the example
of
Khandker Mushtaq said that those who claimed
themselves to be democrats must recognise if they were not hypocrats, that
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the leader of the nation. He also maintained that the
democratic camp in the world outside recognised Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the
national leader of
Khandker Mushtaq Ahmed alleged that a section of
bureaucrat's vested interests and " some invisible forces in the
administration " were trying to create obstacle in the process of,
transfer of power. He warned those conspirators that Awami League would resist
those forces at all cost. Indirectly criticising Mr. Bhutto, Khandker Mushtaq
said: " Some people forget the geographical realities of
Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed, General Secretary, East Pakistan
Awami League, while welcoming the MNAs and MPAs to the meeting, expressed his
surprise at the fact that the summoning of the National Assembly took such a
long time when the government itself wanted the constitution to be framed in
only 120 days.
He said that Awami League was determined to continue
relentless struggle till the demands were met. He said that the elected
representatives of the people Would have to show that they were worthy of the
trust the people had reposed in them. He expressed grave concern at the
economic problems facing the people.
Mr. A. H. M. Qamruzzaman, General Secretary of All
Pakistan Awami League, .also addressed the meeting.
(PAKISTAN OBSERVER-February 16, 1971)
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