Morning News
5th July 1958
Suhrawardy’s Plea not to Disturb
Central Set-up Agreement with
NAP Denied: Address at city Meeting
By a Staff Reporter
The Awami League chief, Mr. H. S. Suhrawardy, said in Dacca yesterday that any change in the Central set-up in the present situation might lead to the declaration of emergency in the country.
Mr. Suhrawardy, who was addressing the first public meeting of the Paltan Maidan after the imposition of section 193 in East Pakistan, warned the people against the consequences of section 191 which he said would throttle democracy”. The meeting organised by the Awami League was presided over by the East Pakistan Awami League president, Maulana Abdur Rashid Tarkabagish. The Paltan Maidan was heavily guarded by helmeted and mounted force and contingent of EPR and EPP. The meeting was also addressed by the former Chief Minister, Mr. Ataur Rahman Khan, the Secretary Pakistan Awami League, Mr. Zahiruddin, the East Pakistan Awami League General Secretary, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, former Ministers, Mr. Abdul Khaleque and Mr. Mansoor Ali. Mr. Suhrawardy, who was recently running high temperature in Karachi, addressed the meeting sitting on a chair. Mr. Suhrawardy made an impassioned appeal to all concerned “not to disturb the Centre.” It might lead to grave consequences, he said and added that section 191 might be imposed throughout the country putting an end to democratic life. He said that his party was anxious to see that the elections were held on schedule. He expressed his confidence that in the elections the Awami League will sweep the poll.
No Agreement with NAP
The Awami League chief emphatically said that no agreement was arrived between his party and the NAP. It was simply an “understanding between the two General Secretaries to their mutual satisfaction” he added. Describing the course of events, he said that the NAP had put forward certain points to Awami League and had insisted on an agreement on the basis of those points. “But I never agreed to their proposal,” he said. Mr. Suhrawardy said that every party had some ideals and principles and it was difficult to abandon them. He also that he had not changed his views on One Unit. He had simply told the NAP members that he would not stand in the way of the people of West Pakistan if they expressed their opinion contrary to his, during the ensuing General Elections.
Referring to the acceptance of NAP’s five points by the KSP, he said that the NAP had realised that they would be put to trouble. Mr. Suhrawardy also referred to the visit of the West Pakistan NAP leaders to Dacca and said that they came to this province “to create trouble.”
Demanding immediate restoration of parliamentary Government in the province, he said that some interested persons” were of the opinion that Mr. Ataur Rahman Khan should not be called upon to form the Government because he was supported by the NAP. He asked them why section 193 was not imposed when the NAP had earlier supported the Awami Coalition.