DHAKA: As the economic programme of ‘Baksal’ or the ‘second revolution’ still holds importance, some of those can be replicated again suiting the present purview.

Leaders of the ruling Awami league came up with the comments while talking to banglanews, in the wake of raging controversies over the system introduced in the post-independence period and done away with following the August 15, 1975 changeover through military coup.         

But the reality is that there is no way to go back to ‘Baksal’ now, and the government is not thinking about reverting to the system, they said.

They believe it is not necessary to execute ‘Baksal’ once again as the government follows its principles in all its programmes.

Awami League advisory committee member and ex-minister Abdur Razzak MP told banglanews that ‘Baksal’ was a national platform formed for five years and different political parties were united under the platform.

Bangabandhu formed it trying to achieve economic freedom and improve law-and-order situation, but later on the platform was questioned negatively, he observed.

“The economic programme of Baksal is the best one in our national economy. Our economic crisis might be resolved if the programme of the second revolution could be implemented now,” he said.

Razzak said multipurpose village cooperatives and agricultural cooperative programmes of Baksal are still relevant for the country’s economic growth.

Awami League presidium member Obaidul Kader told banglanews that there are two concepts of Baksal-one is economic and the other political. Any government could accept the economic programmes of Baksal that included cooperatives system in agriculture and ceiling system for land.

But there is no scope for going for political programmes of Baksal in present reality.

Awami League organizing secretary Ahmed Hossain said enforcement of the Baksal system once again in the age of globalization wouldn’t be perfect.

“Bangabandhu introduced Baksal to build national unity, financial solvency and for the welfare of farmers and workers. It was timely in the then context,” he added.

Awami League is not considering the economic agenda of Baksal and no discussion was held in its decision-making forum on it.

The opposition BNP is trying to reap political benefits spreading propaganda that the ruling government heading towards ‘Baksal’ once again, said the Awami League leaders.

Awami League presidium member and Textiles and Jute Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui told banglanews that the necessity of Baksal is no more there as the government is going ahead with a vast range of programmes comparable with that of Baksal.

BNP leaders recently blamed the government for trying to introduce Baksal ruling system again in the country.

Earlier on September 5, Awami League acting General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif clearly stated that it is not possible to restore Baksal, but they want to go ahead pursuing the ideology of Baksal.

Later on September 6, BNP’s Standing Committee member+ Nazrul Islam Khan said the ruling Awami League eventually admitted that they want to reinstate Baksal.  

BDST: 2040 HRS, SEPT 16, 2010