Morality and politics in Bangladesh

Gopal Sengupta What we see in Bangladesh is that the political parties have hijacked the mandate and trust of the electorate. The leaders seem to treat the government like a five-year fixed deposit in joint names. All they want the President to do is to change the name of the first joint holder under their direction. And they are immensely irked at the delay. It is indeed sad that parties today know little else beyond the arithmetic of numbers. Fresh elections will hold out clear lessons not only for the State but the entire nation. If the two major political parties of the State start the process of horse-trading, through another election before it is due, it will cast a heavy burden on the exchequer. It is inevitable. Even if a new political equation is worked out now, it will, in all probability, crumble before the government completes its term. One hopes the Bangladesh electorate will avoid giving a fractured mandate in the next elections. Bangladesh seems to have become a hotbed of unprincipled politics. The ethical standards of the politicians, irrespective of the party to which they belong, have reached a nadir. The people of Bangladesh have been witnessing mud-slinging matches between the ruling and the official opposition far too long. They have never come together to share the spoils of power. If numbers alone matter, there is no future for moral standards in politics. Now, in our parliament, political differences have turned into personal animosities. Moreover, it appears that the opposition lawmakers have forgotten their duties as responsible parliamentarians. The passing of many bills are getting expedited without any debate because of their boycott. It is time that they called off the boycott. What is happening in Bangladesh is a mockery of our political system. The inconsistent stands taken by the two major political parties' combine are abject lessons in opportunism. Political morality is no less important than constitutional propriety. Parties should not be allowed to get legal sanction for unprincipled politics in the name of safeguarding democracy and the constitution. The dissolution of the parliamentary positions and fresh elections are the best course of action to be followed now. But unethical politics has come to the fore, ruining the image of the state. Have the politicians ever thought of the people? Even if the 'international community' invites both the political parties' combine to form a government, what is the guarantee that each political party will continue to extend support to the government till the end of its term? Instead of pushing the state into turmoil, is it not better for all parties to seek a fresh mandate and leave the issue of cleansing the political system to the wisdom of the electorate? The people of Bangladesh can at least be spared a huge waste of taxpayers' money for constitutionalism and morality. Gopal Sengupta writes from Canada. He can be reached at email: gopalsengupta@aol.com