When Ayub Khan and later Yahya Khan were in power, Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman played a significant role in Pakistani politics. He became well-known when he presented a Six-Point formula in 1966 with his party, demanding the Pakistani government implement these points fully.
The Pakistani government didn’t like his idea because it would weaken the central government and make the provinces too independent. However, his Awami League wanted all six points included in the new constitution.
Sheikh Mujib and his party were very firm about their points. Even though sometimes he considered changing a few points, especially before the 1970 elections, he always went back to the Six-Point plan. This plan made him very popular in Bengal. Awami League members were so committed that they promised to sacrifice everything to make the Six-Point plan happen. This plan led them to civil disobedience, challenging the central government’s authority.
A group of party-armed workers, called Mukti Bahini, made the civil administration stop working. When things got worse, India intervened and helped the Awami League declare Bangladesh independent.
The Six-Point formula comprised the following points:
1: Through a federal parliamentary system based on direct adult franchise representation of provinces would be based on population in the federal legislature.
2: The federal government will be restricted only to foreign affairs, defense, and currency. And even concerning foreign affairs, the subject of economic issues would rest with the provinces.
3: There would be either two different currencies for the two wings or a single one with a separate Federal Reserve System for each wing.
4: The power of implementing and collecting taxes would rest with the provinces. The federal government will be given enough shares to fulfill its tasks of foreign affairs and defense.
5: There would be separate accounts of foreign exchange earnings for each wing.
6: East Pakistan would be entitled to have militia or paramilitary force solely under its jurisdiction.
