Narayanganj: A microcosm of the cosmic play

What exactly is the significance of the first ever mayoral elections in this small but important satellite town in the outskirts of Dhaka? If media interest is anything to go by, one could be forgiven into thinking that we are about to have national elections, such is the frenzy. Of course it is an important election in terms of gauging the relative strengths of both the ruling and opposition parties, but so is every other local election. This is my take: There is a widely held perception that the battle for Narayanganj has morphed into a symbolic battle about the kind of society we want our children to inherit. It is no longer just about the future of the town but about the direction in which this country seeks to go. This is a three-horse race and a real test for the ruling party which has ended up backing A K M Shamim Osman formally over Selina Hayat Ivy. This abdication of the high moral ground by the Awami League (AL) leadership in choosing Osman over Ivy creates an opportunity for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supported Taimur Alam khandker to make a serious bid for the mayoralty in the knowledge that AL support on the ground stands divided. Selina Ivy, by all accounts an admirable and popular local politician, exposed the moral bankruptcy of the ruling party apparatchiks and leadership when they seemed unable to chose between her and Shamim Osman who claims closeness to the Prime Minister. What this has to do with the suitability of Osman as a mayoral candidate is beyond me. It is clear that Osman is hugely influential in AL. The fact that he is reported to maintain a veritable army of supporters is indicative of his approach to politics and power. As I write, the breaking news is that the Election Commission's (EC) request for military deployment as part of the security framework for the elections due to be held on October 30 has been rejected by the government. This raises fundamental questions about the constitutional status of the EC and poses a potential threat to the smooth conduct of the polls. The people of Narayanganj too want the reassuring presence of the army in the city on Election Day. On the other hand, Osman gave a statement in the press on October 28 saying that he is 99 per cent sure that a massive terrorist attack will be launched to eliminate him whereas both the other main candidates are expressing explicit concerns about Osman's electioneering and the conduct of his men in creating a climate of fear in the area. This is bewildering stuff but it is clear that if the EC and the people of the locality feel the need for an army presence that ought to be respected by the government. The elections will be a major test for the EC which is determined to ensure a fair-and-free contest as well as consolidate its essential role of delivering free, fair and secure elections. These are local non-party political elections in formal terms, ostensibly to encourage a non-partisan approach to solving local problems. The candidates are all meant to be 'independent' but can seek moral support from all quarters and the main parties invariably have their favorites. So in spite of the institutional preference for non-partisan local elections, the whole process turns into a deeply politicised and divisive affair. What seems to have captured the public imagination in this case is the symbolism of the Narayanganj situation with the battle that rages in the AL and within the nation between the politics of the collective good and the politics of self-enrichment and muscle power. The battle for Narayanganj has now become a battle within the ruling party between supporters of Osman and the supporters of Ivy. It is no coincidence that the AL party machinery is fully behind Osman whereas much of the rank-and-file feel an affinity for the politics that Ivy represents. Thus, this battle for a town has major implications for the AL and indeed, the nation. The BNP candidate is running a lackluster campaign and appears to be a bit of a sideshow. The real battle may well be between AL and AL. It is easy to conjure up images of the sacred eternal battle between 'good' and 'evil' and this has entered into the perception of the people and the media. We look to the people of Narayangnj to strike a blow for honest politics and the genuine politics of development and progress. Let us not go backwards in this struggle. The nation is hungry for honest, participatory democratic politics free of criminality and intimidation. If our leaders will not guarantee this, people power can and will. The writer can be reached at Email: kumarmurshid@hotmail.co.uk