Dacca Round Table

Following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, Mushtaq Ahmed assumed the presidency, an outcome largely facilitated by the support of a faction within the military. While Mushtaq formally dissolved the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL), elements of its ideological framework persisted in his governance. Although he declared the suspension of the Constitution, this suspension was selective, targeting specific articles while introducing limited amendments. Mushtaq’s accession to power, therefore, can be interpreted as an extension of BAKSAL’s foundational authority, albeit under altered circumstances. The transition from Mushtaq to Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem as President marked a significant turning point, influenced heavily by the military, particularly by Colonel Taher. Sayem’s tenure was characterized by governance under the implicit control of the armed forces, with certain constitutional provisions suspended, signaling a period of military-guided administration.