'Zia himself applied to become BaKSAL member'

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said the BNP cannot criticize BaKSAL (Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League) as its founder Ziaur Rahman himself applied to become a member of the political platform and later he was made member of the front.

"Even, Zia wrote an article in favour of BaKAL in a newspaper. Later, Zia was made a member of the political front," he said while addressing a book publication ceremony at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat. 

The book named 'Bangabandhur Ditiyo Biplob o BaKSAL' (Bangabandhu's second revolution and BaKSAL) written by Subhash Singha Roy.

Hasan said Ziaur Rahman, at first, was not made a member of BaKSAL as he was deputy chief of Armed Forces, though the then chiefs of three forces were made members of the platform. Zia applied to become a member of BaKSAL and later he was able to attain membership of the platform, he added.

So, the minister said, the BNP has no ethical right to talk and spread confusion over BaKSAL.

He said six members of parliament were shot dead after independence, jute warehouses were set on fire and anarchies were created. Consequently, Bangabandhu said that it was needed to keep the nation united and later he formed the front, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

He said everyone was brought to a single platform and the leaders were made members of BaKSAL central committee. The country had started getting benefits from the BaKSAL system and the GDP rose to 9.5 percent, he added.

He said the country then almost became self-sufficient in food production as a surplus 10,000 tonnes of paddy had been produced during the time. Consequently, prices of essentials, including rice, had been decreased. 

Hasan said the practices of democracy were enhanced under the BaKSAL. Even, Syed Wahidul Islam, brother of the then Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, was defeated in a by-poll in Mymensingh, he added.

He said it is true that all newspapers, except four, were closed. But, no journalist remained unemployed, he added.

The minister said Bangabandhu had formed a five-member committee and the journalists were employed at different departments, including PID, DFP, customs and jute mills.