DAILY DAWN
5thApril 1958
ATA-MUJIB DIFFERENCE CONTINUES
From ABDUL WAHAB,
Dawn, Dacca Correspondent
DACCA, April 4: Differences inside the Awami League over the retention in the second Awami League Coalition Cabinet of three Ministers whose exclusion had been suggested by an influential section of the party, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, remain unresolved. These differences can not be treated lightly either. The suggestion of Mr. Mujibur Rahman, it is reported, was that these Ministers should not be at least included again in the first instance so as to impress on them their unpopularity in the party. It is believed that allegations against two of the Ministers, Mr Abdur Rahman Khan and Mr Khairat Hossain, included neglect of legitimate party interests in the areas they represent.
ANOTHER AIM
Besides, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in making the suggestion also appears to have had another aim in view, namely that of increasing the Awami League Coalition’s parliamentary strength so that it may not have to live in a state of constant anxiety as it has been doing of late. To achieve this end, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s formula reportedly included the appointment of Mr. Gour Chandra Bala as a Central Minister of State and of some scheduled caste members as either Deputy Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries in the Province.
EXECUTIVE MEETING
As reported earlier, the issue is going to be discussed threadbare in the forthcoming meeting of the Awami League Working Committee scheduled to meet here on April 3 which will also have the benefit of Mr. Suhrawardy’s advice. What exactly this advice is going to be is not know. But considering that both Mr. Ataur Rahman Khan and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman are close to Mr. Suhrawardy, this advice will not be easy to give.
While it is too much to expect him to solve this problem within a day, it is clear that he will try to maintain the party’s integrity at all costs.