Need for post poll dialogue
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
M M Ahmed
THE delayed national election is only days away. The country's attention remain absorbed with electioneering. The elections over, power would be handed over to the elected representatives. But the question is whether or not, the factors that disturb the political process in Bangladesh such as its dysfunctional parliament, street agitations, never-ending political confrontation between rival parties, all of which affect economy, too, will disappear? In sum, the moot question is: will the country have political stability, so badly needed for economic development?
The answer as it is stated reasonably and from the basis of experience is likely to be negative. The post-election political stability desirable for economic development, can come only if the main political parties accept the results with reasonable grace and pursue the path of dialogue, rather than confrontation.
Through dialogue the political parties should seek to forge consensus on major issues facing the nation. Only then, the country will have something positive to expect in the future.
They should create the consensus that they would discard hartal, never stay away from parliament for long, stop politicising the administration or employing loyalists in the government after going to power, not do anything repugnant to fundamental civil and political rights and liberties of people and strengthen the anti-corruption mechanism. It would be extremely important for the political parties to recognise public sentiment for the eradication of corruption.
The political parties will also need to democratise their organisation. So far, they have only engaged in token reforms. It is hardly enough. They have to change their constitutions to facilitate upward mobility of the educated and dedicated leaders within the parties. The leadership based on cult and links to famous names must come to an end. A culture of choosing or electing the leaders with ability, integrity and dedication, needs to replace dynastic leadership. Able leaders with character in power, can be counted on for good governance and not self promotion.
Black-money holders and others with ill-gotten possessions, were allegedly able to buy some of the nominations of political parties to contest even in the upcoming elections. This practice must be absolutely brought to an end-once for all. The practice of nominating loan defaulters and the corrupt against payment of donations needs to come to an end. The defaulters need to be debarred from getting the facility to reschedule loans to prevent them from dabbling into politics. The selection of clean candidates will have to be the motto of the political parties.
THE delayed national election is only days away. The country's attention remain absorbed with electioneering. The elections over, power would be handed over to the elected representatives. But the question is whether or not, the factors that disturb the political process in Bangladesh such as its dysfunctional parliament, street agitations, never-ending political confrontation between rival parties, all of which affect economy, too, will disappear? In sum, the moot question is: will the country have political stability, so badly needed for economic development?
The answer as it is stated reasonably and from the basis of experience is likely to be negative. The post-election political stability desirable for economic development, can come only if the main political parties accept the results with reasonable grace and pursue the path of dialogue, rather than confrontation.
Through dialogue the political parties should seek to forge consensus on major issues facing the nation. Only then, the country will have something positive to expect in the future.
They should create the consensus that they would discard hartal, never stay away from parliament for long, stop politicising the administration or employing loyalists in the government after going to power, not do anything repugnant to fundamental civil and political rights and liberties of people and strengthen the anti-corruption mechanism. It would be extremely important for the political parties to recognise public sentiment for the eradication of corruption.
The political parties will also need to democratise their organisation. So far, they have only engaged in token reforms. It is hardly enough. They have to change their constitutions to facilitate upward mobility of the educated and dedicated leaders within the parties. The leadership based on cult and links to famous names must come to an end. A culture of choosing or electing the leaders with ability, integrity and dedication, needs to replace dynastic leadership. Able leaders with character in power, can be counted on for good governance and not self promotion.
Black-money holders and others with ill-gotten possessions, were allegedly able to buy some of the nominations of political parties to contest even in the upcoming elections. This practice must be absolutely brought to an end-once for all. The practice of nominating loan defaulters and the corrupt against payment of donations needs to come to an end. The defaulters need to be debarred from getting the facility to reschedule loans to prevent them from dabbling into politics. The selection of clean candidates will have to be the motto of the political parties.