Dhaka,(Barta24.com): Prime Minister and president of Bangladesh Awami League Sheikh Hasina said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had introduced Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League(BAKSAL) for the economic emancipation and to bring development of the country utilizing the total man power in nation building activities.
On Monday (March 25) while distributing Swadhinata awards at Bangabandhu International Conference Center Sheikh Hasina mentioned it. In the function 12 persons and one organization were awarded by the Swadhinata Padak.
After liberation due to conspiracies of many quarters, the Father of the Nation decided that some how we must be self reliant, the country ought to be developed and the people would have to be made united. But there was serious propaganda against the BAKSAL from the very beginning.
Late Bangabandhu for strengthening local governments he upgraded the sub-divisions into districts. At that time we had only 19 districts, while 60 districts were created. He appointed district governors there. His aim was to make the country economically self reliant by decentralizing power.
Mentioning the background of 1975 she said that when the anti-liberation and their International associates observed that the country cannot be suppressed, they started hatching conspiracy against Bangabandhu and Bangladesh.
The blow came when the conspirators observed that the Bangalees earned Independence even after genocide and if given chances they would achieve economic self sufficiency. They started propaganda against Bangabandhu. Then Bangabandhu brought the whole nation under a single platform by forming BAKSAL.
During the BAKSAL regime there was no chance of playing foul with the right to vote. According to the system of BAKSAL, the Prime Minister mentioned that every one could contest the election and the election expenditure was supposed to be borne by the state.
All candidates’ name contesting for same seat was to be printed in one poster. This was to be printed from state coffer. The candidates contacted the voters. People would elect according to their choice. Bangabandhu wanted to give real taste of liberation by giving the people free choice by choosing their representatives.
She mentioned that after 1975 there were 19 coups in the armed forces when thousands of soldiers and officers were killed. But had we could adopt the system of the Father of the Nation, then such situation would not have arisen and none could play with the right of franchise of the people.
Awami League chief said that Bangladesh has now occupied a dignified position in the comity of nations which we had earned through the great liberation war. From then the courage and bravery of the Bangalees earned name and fame across the world.
The head of government claimed that had we could implement the measures of Bangabandhu then within five to seven years we would have become a developed state.
Cabinet Secretary Md. Shafiul Alam conducted the function. He also described the brief life sketch and contributions of the recipients of Swadhinata Padak.