Morning News
24th February 1969
Bhutto meets Mujib, Bhashani: Political situation discussed
(By our staff Reporter)
MR. Z. A. BHUTTO, CHAIRMAN OF THE PAKISTAN PEOPLE’S PARTY YESTERDAY CALLED ON THE AWAMI LEAGUE CHIEF. SHEIKH MUJIBUR RAHMAN TWICE AND DISCUSSED WITH HIM THE POLITICAL SITUATION OBTAINING IN THE COUNTRY.
Mr. Bhutto also met NAP chief Moulana Bhashani last evening.
During the meeting the three leaders discussed the political situation with special reference to President Ayub’s offer of talks with Opposition on constitutional issues. They are believed to have exchanged views on various national problem and on methods to solve them.
The recent mass movement and subsequent firings and killing in various parts of the country were also reportedly discussed by the leaders in separate meetings.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Mr. Bhutto are expected to fly together to Lahore on way to Rawalpindi to hold consultations with other Opposition leaders.
Mr. Bhutto who airdashed to Dacca yesterday to know the mind of Maulana Bhashani and Sheikh Mujib told newsmen after the meeting that he was satisfied with the talks with both the leaders.
Mr. Bhutto met Moulana Bhashani at 6-30 p.m. during the brief recess of the NAF executive meeting.
Coming out of the conference room Mr. Bhutto told waiting newsmen “I had always been satisfied with my talks with Maulana Bhashani.”
He reminded a reporter that Moulana Bhashani’s NAP and his People’s Party had already an agreement to work together for the realisation of people’s demands. He said “the agreement still stands”.
Mr. Bhutto, who had earlier called on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman soon after arrival from Karachi said “I am trying to narrow the gap between NAP and Awami League, He, however, did not clarify as to what differences existed between NAP and Awami League which he was trying to eliminate.
The people’s Party Chairman said Government was continuing repression and frequent firings were making the situation complicated and added “under the clouds of firings and repressions it is difficult to enter into any talks with the Government”.
Asked if he would attend the proposed round table conference, Mr. Bhutto said “It is still premature to say anything in this regard”. He said it was always better to reach a joint decision on occasions of national crisis. He, however, said if unanimity was not reached between Opposition parties, his party might take an independent decision.
Responding to a question he said that he did not make any pre-condition for attending the proposed RTC. He had made certain suggestion a few of which had already been accepted by the Government. He said it would have been obligatory for him to attend the RTC if he had made any precondition and Government had accepted them.
Mr. Bhutto told a correspondent that RTC was one among many methods to solve the national crisis. Even all the Opposition parties can sit together and try to solve it. For solving the national crisis, it was not altogether necessary to go the RTC, he added.
Mr. Bhutto said that he may once again meet Moulana Bhashani during his brief stay in Dacca.
Immediately after his meeting with Moulana Bhashani, Mr. Bhutto went to the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to have further discussion with him.
Moulana Nuruzzaman and Mr. Mustafa Khar accompanied Mr. Bhutto during the meeting. Moulana Bhashani was assisted by Mr. Mashiur Rahman, Mian Aref Iftekhar and Mr. Toaha.
APP adds: As Sheikh Mujib and Mr. Bhutto emerged out of the meeting room. Mr. Bhutto told the APP that they discussed “important matters of national significance”.
When asked as to what specific subjects they discussed, Mr. Bhutto replied: “Don’t be in a hurry”.
Sheikh Mujib When approached told the APP “We had a happy time.”
The two leaders in their first meeting after release from detention embraced each other.
সুত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু: পঞ্চম খণ্ড ॥ ষাটের দশক ॥ চতুর্থ পর্ব ॥ ১৯৬৯