Do they care about the nation's expectations?
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Mohammad A Sattar
THE question that disturbs many now is whether Bangladesh would revert to the past politics of irresponsible utterances and erratic conduct of leaders. Many of them tend to forget that it is the responsibility of the politicians to nurture and sustain the political and democratic system.
The people had, at least, some reasons to expect that there would be some changes in the political leaders who matter.
The conduct of the Awami League leaders, if anything, show that they are unaffected by the events of the last two years, which erased politics from Bangladesh. They are still basking under their 'one track' thinking mode. That is why they could, initially, reject outright the idea of dialogue between Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.
When the caretaker government and the Election Commission was favouring Awami League and ignoring BNP to show that the so-called reformist faction of BNP alone existed, the BNP did not hesitate to express its angry reaction.
At that time an impression was created that Awami League alone existed and the wind blew on its sail.
The BNP leaders, during their first meeting with the party chairperson made Begum Khaleda Zia the life long party chief.
When the parties and people are talking about 'democratisation' of politics, a proposal like this smacks of sycophancy and hypocrisy.
The leaders, if anything, showed they continue to be were they were two years ago.
Senior reformist leaders like Saifur Rahman and Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, attended the meeting. Only a few months back they were vocal against the chairperson's power and on the need to amend the party constitution and so on. However, it is a positive sign that Khaleda Zia, acted with wisdom and welcomed the rebels, but for one or two, to the party fold. She rejected the offer of the 'life time presidency' offer. She has all the reasons to be extra alert within the party, particularly against those over enthusiastic to please her. The sycophants need to be kept at bay as they always proved to be harmful.
Khaleda Zia has also expressed her willingness to go for a dialogue with Awami League president Sheikh Hasina. This is by no means an inconsequential development. She has created new hope for the people, who for years, have been yearning for a non-violent political culture and a functional democracy. But Khaleda Zia, willing to start anew, and the other leaders of her party, stand poles apart. This does not augur well for the future of the party and the nation.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the Awami League (AL), is now in US. She is expected to be come back soon to a new climate of politics. What she has in mind will be known when she is back. Abdul Jalil on his return from Singapore got bail from the High Court and immediately declared his intention to resume functionary as the party, general secretary. The acting AL president, Zillur Rahman accepted the idea. But Zillur Rahman had to change his mind as Sheikh Hasina did not like the idea.
The people expected in vain that the leaders, who matter, had undergone some change. A democratic order should have been the only outcome of past two years' drills.
It is quite unfortunate that a golden opportunity to bring about a radical change in the country's political landscape is being wasted. The country faces the prospect of reverting to the past politics of irresponsible utterances and erratic conduct of the leaders. The politicians, the custodians of political institutions and democratic practices, should keep the wheels of democracy running.
The leaders are only talking about the elections. It is quite natural for them to do so every five years. Nobody is interested to bring the reforms, go for registration of the parties or democratisation of politics. They waste no time to point out flows in the Election Commission (EC) directives. They are more keen to powers to their leaders. They still spit venom against their opponents.
The nation's expectations from the political parties were something very simple and different. They want them to behave politically. The last two years of forced denial of politics, and indoor bickering, it seems, have damaged their brain cells more than ever.
Can the nation expect the leaders to change for better? Many of them still shout as they just do not how to speak in normal voice.
The politicians of all strata must show their willingness to serve the country and the people. This can only come through unity. That is the one and only prescription for them.
The writer can be reached at E-mail: mohammedalisattar@hotmail.com
THE question that disturbs many now is whether Bangladesh would revert to the past politics of irresponsible utterances and erratic conduct of leaders. Many of them tend to forget that it is the responsibility of the politicians to nurture and sustain the political and democratic system.
The people had, at least, some reasons to expect that there would be some changes in the political leaders who matter.
The conduct of the Awami League leaders, if anything, show that they are unaffected by the events of the last two years, which erased politics from Bangladesh. They are still basking under their 'one track' thinking mode. That is why they could, initially, reject outright the idea of dialogue between Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.
When the caretaker government and the Election Commission was favouring Awami League and ignoring BNP to show that the so-called reformist faction of BNP alone existed, the BNP did not hesitate to express its angry reaction.
At that time an impression was created that Awami League alone existed and the wind blew on its sail.
The BNP leaders, during their first meeting with the party chairperson made Begum Khaleda Zia the life long party chief.
When the parties and people are talking about 'democratisation' of politics, a proposal like this smacks of sycophancy and hypocrisy.
The leaders, if anything, showed they continue to be were they were two years ago.
Senior reformist leaders like Saifur Rahman and Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, attended the meeting. Only a few months back they were vocal against the chairperson's power and on the need to amend the party constitution and so on. However, it is a positive sign that Khaleda Zia, acted with wisdom and welcomed the rebels, but for one or two, to the party fold. She rejected the offer of the 'life time presidency' offer. She has all the reasons to be extra alert within the party, particularly against those over enthusiastic to please her. The sycophants need to be kept at bay as they always proved to be harmful.
Khaleda Zia has also expressed her willingness to go for a dialogue with Awami League president Sheikh Hasina. This is by no means an inconsequential development. She has created new hope for the people, who for years, have been yearning for a non-violent political culture and a functional democracy. But Khaleda Zia, willing to start anew, and the other leaders of her party, stand poles apart. This does not augur well for the future of the party and the nation.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the Awami League (AL), is now in US. She is expected to be come back soon to a new climate of politics. What she has in mind will be known when she is back. Abdul Jalil on his return from Singapore got bail from the High Court and immediately declared his intention to resume functionary as the party, general secretary. The acting AL president, Zillur Rahman accepted the idea. But Zillur Rahman had to change his mind as Sheikh Hasina did not like the idea.
The people expected in vain that the leaders, who matter, had undergone some change. A democratic order should have been the only outcome of past two years' drills.
It is quite unfortunate that a golden opportunity to bring about a radical change in the country's political landscape is being wasted. The country faces the prospect of reverting to the past politics of irresponsible utterances and erratic conduct of the leaders. The politicians, the custodians of political institutions and democratic practices, should keep the wheels of democracy running.
The leaders are only talking about the elections. It is quite natural for them to do so every five years. Nobody is interested to bring the reforms, go for registration of the parties or democratisation of politics. They waste no time to point out flows in the Election Commission (EC) directives. They are more keen to powers to their leaders. They still spit venom against their opponents.
The nation's expectations from the political parties were something very simple and different. They want them to behave politically. The last two years of forced denial of politics, and indoor bickering, it seems, have damaged their brain cells more than ever.
Can the nation expect the leaders to change for better? Many of them still shout as they just do not how to speak in normal voice.
The politicians of all strata must show their willingness to serve the country and the people. This can only come through unity. That is the one and only prescription for them.
The writer can be reached at E-mail: mohammedalisattar@hotmail.com