Concern of AL lawmakers

Some lawmakers of the Awami League-led grand alliance government have openly criticised the activities of some ministers. They have raised questions about their performance and efficiency. They expressed their concern in a meeting held on March 10 at Gana Bhaban with the Prime Minister and leader of the grand alliance Sheikh Hasina in the chair. A ruling party lawmaker said that the AL-led government of 1996 was stronger than the present grand alliance government inspite of having smaller number of parliamentarians. Now, the AL-led grand alliance government has absolute majority in the parliament, but the government is weaker. Besides, they have expressed their dissatisfaction over the slow pace of development work in the respective areas of MPs and slothful function of government's administration. Another ruling party lawmaker humorously observed that "we have all boarded a boat and if this boat capsizes, we will all drown. But the prime minister assured him that "this boat will not sink". Though this assurance has made the AL lawmaker satisfied but how will she satisfy the people of Bangladesh? The government should be more attentive without any delay regarding the concern of its own party lawmakers. It should be kept in mind that the result of the 2008 national election created a lot of hope and aspiration among the common people, specially among the young generation. The burning issues are price spike of essentials, shortage of power and gas, deteriorating law and order situation, share market debacle, curbing rampant corruption, population explosion, ensuring food security, establishing good governance and above all controlling the leaders and workers of various front organisation of the Awami League. An efficient and people-oriented government's main duty is to remove all the stumbling blocks and rectify its failures. Against this backdrop, the government will have to ensure a dynamic, effective and functional administration as well as political stability. Besides, the opposition party will have to give up their negative role in a bid to consolidate democracy. Lutfor Rahman Ghoraghat, Dinajpur. E-mail: mlutforr@ovi.com