Morning News
28th May 1957
Mujib Refutes Sarkar’s Charges
East Pakistan Commerce, Industries and Labour Minister, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman refuted the Allegations reportedly made by Mr. Abu Hossain Sarkar, ex-Chief Minister and published in a section of the local press that the present Awami League Coalition Government was collecting funds from the traders and business community for running the next general elections in the country, reports APP.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who is also the Provincial Awami League General Secretary in a statement issued in Dacca on Sunday night said: “Mr. Abu Hossain Sarkar, being a responsible Leader of the opposition should not utter a thing about which he has no knowledge. The allegations that he is stated to have made that the Awami League Government have been collecting funds from the traders and the business community do not bear an iota of truth in it.” Mr. Rahman threw a challenge to Mr. Sarkar and his party and said “if a single allegation which was made against the Awami League Coalition Government can be proved, the Government will then and there resign.”
Referring to the causes of high prices of commodities, the Minister said the difficulty in getting shipping space from Karachi to Chittagong and also from Chalna Port and the transport facilities from the port areas to Dacca were among some of the important factors that caused higher prices of commodities. He further added that there was only one railway line to Chittagong with a limited carrying capacity. The total number of wagnos which could move on this line per day were 318 whereas at least 1000 wagons carrying consumer goods and foodgrains should move to Dacca from the port areas to meet the needs of the province. He further added that only 60 wagons could be ferried at Bahadurabad Ghat to despatch consumer goods to meet the necessities of the people of northern districts of the province. This was much too small a quantity of goods for the vast population there. Regretting Mr. Rahman said these were the most important things which the Muslim League and the United Front Government willfully neglected any improvement. He said, “we have however given the top-most priority to all these problems and we are determined to improve the situation within a short time. Meanwhile, we have completed construction work on the Feni and Chittagong Road which will ultimately link Chittagong and Daudkandi. This will facilitate road communications at the least possible time.”
‘No Right’
The Awami League General Secretary said: “Mr. Abu Hossain Sarkar and his party had got no right to question the honesty and sincerity of the Awami League Workers who have suffered and sacrified much under the tyranny of the United Front and the Muslim League Governments. East Pakistan people have not yet forgotten the history of the past, when Mr. Sarkar had to resign from his office of Chief Ministership by the pressure of the people, when rice was selling at Rs. 70 per maund.”
Continuing Mr. Rahman said, “another lie was reported to have been uttered by Mr. Sarkar at his recent public meeting at the Paltan Maidan. It is said that Mr. Sarkar made allegations saying Maulana Bhashani had sent telegram to the Indian Prime Minster seeking his approval whether Awami League should join the Convention.” “Such irresponsible utterances on the part of a man like Mr. Abu Hossain Sarkar is quite unthinkable” he said, and added it may so happen Mr. Sarkar shall have to prove these things in a court of law.”
He said that the Awami League Coalition Government had “tolerated many false allegations against them because they believed in the civil liberts of the people. But he added they would not tolerate such things which “go to impair the prestige and interest of Pakistan.”