Baksal idea totally misinterpreted

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formed Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League to unite the whole nation but the idea was totally misinterpreted.

"What he had said during the constitutional amendment was completely misinterpreted. He had taken an excellent initiative to change the fate of all the people including the poor. But it was spoiled which was very unfortunate," Hasina told the Jatiya Sangsad.

The PM was taking part in general discussion in the JS on the resolution brought to pay tribute to Bangabandhu on the occasion of Mujib Borsho marking the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation.

Earlier on November 9, Hasina, the Leader of the House, placed the resolution in a special session convened by President Abdul Hamid on the occasion of Mujib Borsho. This was the first time the JS went into a special session.

The JS yesterday unanimously adopted the resolution by voice vote, bringing an end to the session.

A total of 79 MPs from the treasury and opposition benches participated in the five-day discussion on the resolution.

In her speech, the PM said Bangabandhu's sole objective behind the formation of Baksal was to bring smile to the faces of unhappy people.

It was just a five-year programme and Bangabandhu announced it for rapid socio-economic development of the people.

"I believe that if he could implement it in the following five years, Bangladesh would be a developed country by now. But unfortunately he was not allowed to do so." 

There was huge criticism of the steps he had taken. And there was also a flurry of comments such as he had moved to establish a one-party rule and wanted to cling to power, said Hasina.

"When the Father of the Nation formed Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League, he wanted to unite the whole nation. He had called for unity, taking people of all classes along.

"But criticism started in such a way…it was unfortunate that he was brutally killed… he could not finish his work."

Hasina mentioned that Bangabandhu had told the House during the 4th amendment to the constitution on January 25, 1975, that the new system was a democratic one where the deprived ones would have the right to vote.

Bangabandhu wanted to bring changes to the electoral system to make the elections free from muscle power, arms and black money so that people from the grassroots level could get elected, she added.