Morning news
11th September 1958
AL DIVIDED ON ISSUE OF JOINING CENTRE
Suhrawardy’s Discussion with Party Leaders
By A Staff Reporter
The question of Awami League joining the Central Cabinet could be decided only in East Pakistan and not in the federal capital. This became clear from the course of events in the recent past and was further confirmed by the arrival of the Awami League chief Mr. H S Suhrawardy, in Dacca yesterday. Mr. Suhrawardy on his arrival from Karachi told newsmen at the Tejgaon airport that the question of his party joining the Centre would be finally decided during his stay in province and after a thorough discussion with the leaders of the East Pakistan Awami League.
He is reported to have had preliminary talks with some of the leaders of his party including Chief Minister, Mr. Ataur Rahman Khan and the Awami general secretary, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. There is a considerably strong section of the Awami League leaders and workers in East Pakistan who are stated to be opposed to Awami League joining the Centre, without Mr. Suhrawardy being at the head of the Cabinet. This section is also reported to be exerting pressure on the Provincial Government to quit office in protest against the present attitude of the Centre. The other section of the party, however, believes that the Awami League should join the Centre even without Mr. Suhrawardy. These leaders are also stated to be opposed to the suggestion of “stepping down” from power. In their opinion, of the Awami League joined the Central Cabinet, the centre could be effectively persuaded to give financial aid to East Pakistan. Political observers, however, believed that Mr. Suhrawardy would not find it an easy job to bring reconciliation among the members of the two groups. The Awami chief who arrived in Dacca yesterday told newsmen that some Central Ministers were likely to visit East Pakistan to assess the extent of damage caused by the recent floods. He also said that he had asked the Prime Minister, Malik Firoz Khan Noon, to come to this province to see things for himself. He, however, said the Prime Minister might not be able to come due to his present engagements, but was expected to pay a visit afterwards. Mr. Suhrawardy yesterday visited some of the flood-affected areas of the city. He left last night for Gopalganj in Faridpur district accompanied by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He is expected back in Dacca on…..