A government, worth its name, must be free to exercise its authority. It may be a caretaker government but that does not mean that it should be run according to the wishes or dictates of outsiders. In that case, it becomes a government unable to independently function without coercion or influence.
The caretaker government's effectiveness in meeting constitutional obligations has been eroded due to pressure mounted on it by different quarters. Its functioning has been practically limited due to much dictations. Ultimatums, intimidations and threats are what the caretaker government receives, on and off.
Under obvious pressure it is getting difficult for the caretaker government to go for a balanced treatment of the issues. Those keeping it under pressure want the government to yield instantly to their demands without considering the implications. But this becomes then an extra burden for the Chief Adviser and his advisers because they cannot forget that the oath they had taken requires them to remain neutral in their action.
The caretaker government needs time to concentrate on vital issues that it must address. But pressure groups seem bent on not giving this well deserved time to the caretaker government to arrive at fair and independent decisions. They want immediate decisions in their favour by muscle flexing.
The caretaker government has already met a great deal of the demands of the dissenting elements. One is tempted to ask, when will the interest groups stop making demands? Perhaps only after grabbing state power by any means, commented an observer the other day.
Mashuqul Haque
Gulshan
Dhaka
Pressure tactics on caretaker government
FE Team | Published: November 08, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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