Dawn
25th February 1969
Mujib for common formula to meet people’s demands
From MAHBUBUL ALAM
RAWALPINDI, Feb 24: The Awami League leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today emphasised the need for finding an agreed formula with a view to meeting the basic demands of the people.
“I think we should come to an agreement on a common formula,” he said while talking to newsmen at the East Pakistan House, shortly after his arrival here from Dacca via Lahore.
When asked to explain further his demand for representation on the basis of population, he declined to go into details saying that it was the demand of the people.
“I am a people’s man and it is the demand of the people” he said.
He said what he said about one unit in his speech at Dacca was the policy of his party. Basically the demands of the people of East and West Pakistan were common, he added. For instance, there is no difference of opinion with regard to civil liberties and the rights of the people.
Soon after his arrival here, the AL president met the top leaders of his party and discussed with them the party strategy in the DAC and at the proposed RTC. The discussions lasted till late in the night.
PPI adds:
Replying to another question, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said that ever since his release he remained so busy that he could not discuss matters with his friends and party workers. In fact, he said, some of his friends had to accompany him to Pindi to talk to him.
Replying to a question by a foreign correspondent Sheikh Mujib said he was neither a leftist nor a rightest. “I am for the interest of my own countrymen”, he added.
FOREIGN POLICY
Commenting on the prevailing corruption in the country Sheikh Mujib said that it was the product of the present system of government and that it could not be eliminated by setting up anti- corruption committees and commissions. He said that it would go as soon as the people’s representatives assume power.
Corruption must be dealt with a strong hand he added. He had no comments to offer on president Ayub’s reported programme to render the Pakistan Muslim League into an opposition party.
সুত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু: পঞ্চম খণ্ড ॥ ষাটের দশক ॥ চতুর্থ পর্ব ॥ ১৯৬৯