Study Baksal to counter criticism

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addresses a meeting of Awami League Parliamentary Party held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital on Sunday. Photo: BSS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked her party lawmakers to know well the background and philosophy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s move to form Baksal, a one-party rule in the country, to counter the criticism against it.

She gave the direction at a meeting of Awami League Parliamentary Party held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, several AL MPs attending the meeting told The Daily Star.

The then AL-led government headed by Bangabandhu introduced the one-party rule Baksal and switched over to the presidential form of the government by amending the constitution in 1975.

His move had generated huge outcry then. And the AL still faces criticism for the move.

Hasina on Sunday ruled out such criticism against Baksal saying forming such political platform comprising all political parties and groups was not anything bad in a newly liberated war-torn country or in a crisis period.

“Baksal was not a one-party rule or demise of multi-party democracy what Bangabandhu did in the war ravaged country,” Iqbalur Rahim, an AL MP, quoted Hasina as saying in the meeting.

“In this regard, she also cited example of Singapore where a government was formed comprising representatives from all section of people during a crisis period,” Rahim went on quoting the premier.

“You will have to equipped well—acquire knowledge about this in a bid to fight back who speak ill of Baksal,” he added quoting the PM.

Another AL MP, on condition of anonymity, said the premier asked them to know the philosophy of Baksal and to counter the opposition propaganda against it.

Apart from Baksal issue, the premier said plots are being made to make her minus from the politics. “One has already been made minus from politics and attempts are being taken to make me minus,” she said without naming anyone.

She highly criticized the civil society members for speaking about different election-time government systems. They are complicating the political situation through giving different formulas, a source quoted Hasina as saying.

The premier also urged party MPs to remain vigilant in their constituencies to avert possible violence by BNP-Jamaat activists in the days to come.