What political system would suit Bangladesh?
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Md Momtazur Rahman Milton
The people of Bangladesh accepted the reality of 1/11 as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League (AL) were set in a collision course. Civil war was possibly lurking. The second caretaker government came in less than three months. The beginning, the caretaker government, led by Dr. Fakaruddin Ahmed, launched an anti-corruption drive in which a number of politicians, ex-government servants, as well as businessmen were arrested. The arrested are getting bail. The common people describe the developments as the government's failure.
For lack of democracy in the two big parties, the ideas of guided democracy and a third political force were floated by unknown quarters.
New political parties, formed after 1/11, particularly Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) led by Dr Ferdous Ahmed Koreshi and Kollan Party led by Major General (Ret) Ibrahim, failed to create any impact among the people.
The people do not think of a third political party, except for the two big political parties, BNP and AL.
These two parties came to power alternately. In the up-coming general election to be held in December either or the AL led 14-party (or, a snill larger one) alliance or the BNP-led four-party alliance will win a majority of seats to form the government.
The caretaker government could not yet create a 'level playing field' for holding credible elections although it is claiming to have done it. The people of the country are emotive about their leaders for which recently they elected mayors and many municipal councilors despite allegations of corruption against them.
Politicians only stress the need for holding a free and fair election to ensure democracy.
Did three fair and free elections after the fall of autocratic Ershad's regime provide democracy? Corruption and anarchy could not be tackled by BNP and AL during their fifteen years in power. Should Bangladesh redefine democracy in the light of the needs and aspirations of its people? 'Guided democracy' is criticised by political analysts at home and abroad.
Dr. Mahathir Mohammad not only provided political stability but also developed the Malaysian economy. Malaysia is today a leading Asian economy.
Dr Mahathir argues that "one cannot simply accept the western form of democracy. What is good for the west may not necessarily be good for us."
The politicians, policy makers and the civil society should rethink about what kind of polity would suit Bangladesh best. [The writer is Faculty Member (English Language), Department of Languages, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT)]
The people of Bangladesh accepted the reality of 1/11 as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League (AL) were set in a collision course. Civil war was possibly lurking. The second caretaker government came in less than three months. The beginning, the caretaker government, led by Dr. Fakaruddin Ahmed, launched an anti-corruption drive in which a number of politicians, ex-government servants, as well as businessmen were arrested. The arrested are getting bail. The common people describe the developments as the government's failure.
For lack of democracy in the two big parties, the ideas of guided democracy and a third political force were floated by unknown quarters.
New political parties, formed after 1/11, particularly Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) led by Dr Ferdous Ahmed Koreshi and Kollan Party led by Major General (Ret) Ibrahim, failed to create any impact among the people.
The people do not think of a third political party, except for the two big political parties, BNP and AL.
These two parties came to power alternately. In the up-coming general election to be held in December either or the AL led 14-party (or, a snill larger one) alliance or the BNP-led four-party alliance will win a majority of seats to form the government.
The caretaker government could not yet create a 'level playing field' for holding credible elections although it is claiming to have done it. The people of the country are emotive about their leaders for which recently they elected mayors and many municipal councilors despite allegations of corruption against them.
Politicians only stress the need for holding a free and fair election to ensure democracy.
Did three fair and free elections after the fall of autocratic Ershad's regime provide democracy? Corruption and anarchy could not be tackled by BNP and AL during their fifteen years in power. Should Bangladesh redefine democracy in the light of the needs and aspirations of its people? 'Guided democracy' is criticised by political analysts at home and abroad.
Dr. Mahathir Mohammad not only provided political stability but also developed the Malaysian economy. Malaysia is today a leading Asian economy.
Dr Mahathir argues that "one cannot simply accept the western form of democracy. What is good for the west may not necessarily be good for us."
The politicians, policy makers and the civil society should rethink about what kind of polity would suit Bangladesh best. [The writer is Faculty Member (English Language), Department of Languages, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT)]